Sunday, November 21, 1999
Highland's Smith excels in 1st UK start
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Derek Smith made his first career start Saturday against Tennessee. That is, after costing Kentucky a penalty on the game's first play because he didn't realize he should be on the field.
“I had no clue I was supposed to be out there,” said Smith, the freshman tight end from Highlands. “Then someone said we were in "Dart' (formation). I said, "Uh oh.'”
UK took a delay of game penalty and its coaches “told me to get my head out of my rear,” Smith said. But six catches for 85 yards later, he was the toast of the locker room.
“I was real pleased with him,” UK coach Hal Mumme said. “That bodes really well for the future.”
Mumme played the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Smith and fellow freshman tight end Bobby Blizzard extensively for the first time Saturday. Blizzard caught five passes for 60 yards.
Entering Saturday, Smith had just three catches for 27 yards; Blizzard had two for 16 yards.
“Those two guys stepped up against a great team and played well,” quarterback Dusty Bonner said. “They run great routes and make plays.”
Mumme told Smith last Monday he planned to make him the “hot” receiver for quick-hit passes when Tennessee blitzed. After those worked early, Mumme sent Smith on some longer pass plays.
His best was a 32-yard catch, though he had a 42-yarder wiped out on a questionable offensive pass interference call. If it had stood, he would have totaled 127 receiving yards.
“I've just been watching and waiting for my turn,” Smith said. “I'm glad I was able to come out and show what I've learned.”
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