Ohio State Buckeye’s senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith is such a team guy, he’s probably a little embarrassed from all the attention that’s been thrown his way. But if any one player is responsible for Ohio State’s run to a Big-10 Championship and a berth in the BCS National Championship game, its Smith.
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Smith didn’t jump onto the Buckeye’s roster as the leader he developed into. On the field he couldn’t beat out Justin Zwick, the highly touted blue-chipper from the 2002 recruiting class at the start of the 2004 season. But when the Buckeyes lost three straight and Zwick got hurt, Smith got his chance and righted the Buckeyes with his running and passing.
Perhaps a low point for Smith came after an NCAA investigation determined that Smith took $500 from an Ohio State booster in the spring of 2004. He could have been dismissed from the team for ever however head coach Jim Tressell made him repay the money and sit out a bowl game and the first game of 2005. Back from suspension, he finally became a star.
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Smith finished the 2005 season with consecutive 300-yard passing games in victories over Michigan and Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, essentially kicking off his 2006 Heisman campaign.
Once known more his speed and elusiveness, Smith became the consummate pocket-passer. Smith completed 199 of his 297 passes this season, good for 2,507 yards and a school-record 30 touchdowns. He was only intercepted five times and three of those were from deflections. The Heisman winner led the Big Ten in passing efficiency with a 167.8 figure and also led the league in touchdown passes. He threw at least one touchdown pass in 11 of the Buckeyes’ 12 games and has two or more touchdown tosses in nine of those contests. Smith also rushed for 233 yards and a touchdown. Smith has 54 career touchdown passes, three shy of the school record.
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Smith heads into the BCS championship game 25-2 as a starter, and – Gators beware – Smith has been at his best when the Buckeyes have needed him most.
