There were a lot of heroes in this game. Will did enough. Caleb was an eraser. Jack and JT were studs, Tyliek was his usual disruptive self, Denzel Burke was MIA-which is a good thing. The list goes on and on.

But I think Jeremiah Smith deserves a lot of love. He was a total non factor on stat sheet but it was obvious from kickoff that he affected Texas’ Defense. They did everything they could to take him away and it ultimately cost them the game. Carnell Tate stepped up big, Gee Scott made a hell of a play to turn a 4th and 9 into a 4th and before Howard’s big run, and Emeka ate early. 

It has to be frustrating because you know that he knows he’s the best player on the field and he couldn’t get it going because of how hell bent Texas was to stop him. At no point did he look lazy, unmotivated, disinterested, or pissed. I’m sure he wanted to be involved more but we are witnessing greatness. 

He altered the complexion of this game by simply existing and showed a ton of maturity in doing it.