Arkansas running back Michael Smith squirted around left end and ran into the arms of a Florida defender on the second play from scrimmage Saturday.
The 5-foot-7 junior was flipped around, but somehow managed to maintain his balance and stay on his feet. He burst down the sideline, ran into two more Gators, was promptly clobbered once again and fell to the turf.
It was only a 6-yard gain, but the pint-sized Smith’s determination was on display beginning with his first carry in Arkansas’ 38-7 loss to the 12th-ranked Gators in Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The junior, who absorbed blow after blow, was Arkansas’ most consistent weapon on a frustrating day in which the Razorbacks struggled to score.
Smith piled up 182 all-purpose yards against the Gators one week after struggling at Texas. He rushed for 133 yards on 20 carries, caught a team-high six passes for 43 more yards and scored the Hogs’ only touchdown.
He even filled in at punt returner, handling duties after cornerback Jerell Norton was injured in practice last week.
It left Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino to say Smith continues to give the Razorbacks “everything he’s got.”
And it left Florida coach Urban Meyer gushing.
