Neil Smith Season 1985

Honors & Awards

• Drafted by Kansas City Chiefs (First Round, 2nd Pick)
• 1988 Fiesta Bowl Defensive Player-of-the-Game
• 1988 Japan Bowl Defensive Player-of-the Game
• 1987 First-Team All-American (Sporting News)
• 1987 Second-Team All-American (AP, Football News
• 1987 First-Team All-Big 8 (AP, UPI)
• 1987 Defensive Player-of-the-Week (Colorado)
• 1987 Co-Captain

1987 (Senior)
One of the best pass rushers Nebraska has had, Smith was fourth in the Big 8 in quarterback sacks, with seven and a half for 50 yards in losses, in 1987 and earned All-America honors from the Sporting News. All-Big 8 according to the Associated Press and United Press International, he was a second-team All-American on both AP and Football News. Nebraska forth-leading tackler in 1987, he was credited with 65 total tackles, including 12 for losses totaling 63 yards. Also caused two fumbles, recovered another, blocked a field goal at Colorado, broke up three passes, and had an interception at Missouri. Co-captain shared the team lead in tackles against OklahomaState, but saved his best game for the final at Colorado. Named Big Eight Defensive Player-of-the-Week for performance against the Buffs in which he had a team-leading and career high 12 tackles (including nine unassisted, two for losses of 15 yards, and a 12-yard sack), recovered a fumble to blunt a Colorado drive, and blocked a field goal.

1986 (Junior)
Smith played most of the season as Nebraska’s third defensive tackle behind three-year starter Chris Spachman and Lee Jones, but played roughly as much as the other two, a fact reflected in the 49-tackle total, higher then those of Spachman or Jones and seventh-best on the Huskers’ second-ranked defense (235.6 total offense yards per game). He ranks third in tackles among returnees behind DE Broderick Thomas (58) and CB Charles Fryar (52). Top tackle games were 10 each vs. Colorado and Oklahoma. He was among the team leaders in tackles for losses (10 for 55 yards) and sacks (5 for 41). Playing in his hometown of New Orleans, he started in place of Jones in the 30-15 win over LouisianaState in the 1987 Sugar Bowl, recording five tackles, including two for losses of eight yards.

1985 (Sophomore)
Played in every game as a sophomore, recording 19 total tackles, for losses of 20 yards, as the alternate behind Spachman.

1984 (Freshman)
Started at right tackle for the 4-1 freshmen team and recorded 36 tackles to share the team lead in Lawrence Pete. Had seven tackles for loss for the freshmen.

Before Nebraska (McDonogh 35 High School)
Football and basketball star.

Personal
Son of Mrs. Lutisha Smith, he has one brother and one sister. Born April 10, 1966, in New Orleans.

Year	UT	AT	TT	TFL	Sacks	R	BK	PBU	PI
1985	10	9	19	4-20	2-16	0	0	2	0
1986	29	20	49	10-55	5-41	0	0	1	0
1987	36	29	65	12-63	7.5-50	1	1	3	1
Totals	75	58	133	26-138	14.5-107	1	1	6	1

Bowl Statistics
1986 Fiesta Bowl vs. Michigan: Tackles 1 UT, 1 AT, 2 TT, TFL 1 - 2
1987 Sugar Bowl vs. LSU: Tackles 4 UT, 1 AT, 5 TT, TFL 2 ? 8, Sacks 1 - 6
1988 Fiesta Bowl vs. Florida State: Tackles 5 UT, 2 AT, 7 TT, TFL 1 - 7