THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 2, 1994 TAG: 9412020710
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLIE DENN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
The typical scenario in college football these days finds the vast majority of first-year players being redshirted. It gives them a year to adjust to a new level.
But Brian Smith is not your typical college player.
When Smith, a sophomore linebacker for James Madison's Dukes, arrived on campus last year the coaching staff had all but decided to make his true freshman year a redshirt season. Then injuries thinned the JMU linebacking corps and Smith was pressed into service.
He became a starter after three games and immediately had an impact. It was obvious to the coaches they had a budding star.
This fall has been more of the same for the 5-foot-11, 212-pound native of football-rich Beaver Falls, Pa. Smith has started every game when he's been healthy and is among the Dukes' top tacklers.
He'll be a key factor Saturday as JMU (10-2) ventures to Marshall (11-1) in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. For the Dukes to have a chance to beat the Thundering Herd, the defense will have to contain Marshall's high-powered offense.
``We know what Marshall's done the last few years,'' Smith said. ``They know how to turn it on for the playoffs. Plus they're a power team, very physical.
``But we're happy to be playing them. We want to see how we stack up against the best teams and Marshall is one of the best.''
The Thundering Herd has played in the last three I-AA championship games, winning in 1992. Meanwhile, JMU is making its third appearance in the playoffs.
Last week the Dukes played their best overall game of the year in beating Troy State, 45-26, in the opening round. Smith was the defensive mainstay for JMU, finishing with a team-high 13 tackles which included two sacks. He also intercepted a pass.
``Last week was a lot of fun,'' he said. ``I was really happy with my performance. I was able to make some plays and contribute a lot. As a player, that's all you can ask.''
Smith was a standout fullback and linebacker in high school. When coaches asked him where he wanted to play in college, he balked at deciding.
``It really didn't make a difference to me. I like both defense and offense,'' Smith said. ``I would have been perfectly happy on either side of the ball.''
After playing a lot as a true freshman, though, it was apparent his future was on defense. So Smith embarked on a rigorous weight-gaining campaign over the summer.
He showed up for practice in August at 223 pounds, 15 over his weight last year.
``I felt I needed to be bigger,'' he said. ``The good thing about the added weight was that it didn't affect my speed at all.''
Injuries, however, did take a toll. Smith suffered a knee injury in the second week of the season, a slight tear in his medial collateral ligament. He missed two games but returned to play against Delaware.
``I probably rushed it too much,'' Smith said. ``I wanted to play against Delaware because my brother is on their team. It was important to me to go against him.''
Smith admits now he wasn't completely healed. His mobility was restricted somewhat. Then the injury resurfaced a couple games later, and he missed three more weeks.
``I rehabilitated real hard after the second injury,'' Smith said. ``The year has been a little frustrating because of the injuries. I don't like sitting around not playing.
``But I'm fully healthy now. I'm able to do everything I could before. I think the knee may actually be stronger because I've worked so hard on it.''
Strong enough to have made a difference in the JMU defense again. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Brian Smith
by CNB