Junior free safety Anthony Smith (Hubbard, Ohio) is the co-BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week, one week after earning the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week. Smith had 11 tackles, including eight solo, one interception and one blocked kick against Cincinnati. His blocked punt is his third of the season, tying the Syracuse single-season record for blocked kicks. It increased his career total to five, which ties the Orange career record set by David Tyree (1999-02).
Last week, Smith earned the BIG EAST Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking two punts at Buffalo, and returning one of them for a touchdown. He tied the SU single-game record for blocked kicks in one game set by Mike Dresner in 1996 against West Virginia. Smith has won BIG EAST player of the week honors three times in his career (one defensive and two special teams). He took home the special teams honor in 2003 after blocking a punt and returning it 20 yards for a touchdown against Boston College.
Smith is tied for the team lead with 24 tackles, including 12 solo this season. He also tallied his sixth career interception against Cincinnati.
Smith and the Orange travel to No. 12 Virginia on Sept. 25 for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
