BC's Smith making the most of unfortunate break
| Friday, Sep 03 2010 06:06 PM
Last Updated Friday, Sep 03 2010 06:06 PM
L.A. Pierce at BC
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Where: Memorial Stadium
Radio: Live, 1410 AM
Last year's records: Pierce 7-4, BC 10-2
Last meeting: BC won 26-13 in 2006
Tailgate theme: Best tri-tip cookoff; $500 to winner
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BC running back Andre Smith.
BC running back Andre Smith
Andre Smith shouldn't be playing football in Bakersfield.
One year ago, Smith was starting his second season at Bakersfield College and Renegade followers figured he would have a big year and continue playing football at a four-year program.
But that all changed in the fourth quarter of last year's season opener vs. Fresno City College.
"There were three or four minutes left," said Smith. "I ran toward the sideline. A guy was coming at me and I put my arm out to hold him off. I wanted to stay in bounds to keep the clock going.
"I kept him off of me, but another guy came up and hit me low. I heard my ankle snap."
It was Smith's right ankle. And it was broken.
BC won that game 33-14 and Smith finished with 181 rushing yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns, including a 79-yard scoring run.
The injury ended Smith's season. But he was granted a redshirt season because of the injury, which allowed him to use this season as his sophomore year.
Smith, a 2008 East High graduate who had a spectacular career with the Blades, says he's 100 percent healthy, and he gets another chance to show his skills in a season opener tonight when the Renegades play host to Los Angeles Pierce College at 7 p.m. in Memorial Stadium.
Smith had a solid season as a freshman at BC in 2008, running for 693 yards and four touchdowns. He came to BC highly touted after rushing for 1,947 yards and 25 TDs as a senior at East in 2007.
Smith underwent ankle surgery in late September last year and was healthy by the time spring practice began, although he admits he wasn't in condition for hard-core football.
Now he's ready.
"He's fit and slimmed down a little bit. He's raring to go," BC coach Jeff Chudy said. "I don't notice any difference in him (compared to his pre-injury ability). Cutting and changing of direction -- he looks good."
Smith's ankle bone still has a plate and three screws attached. "But I don't feel any of that," he said. "The only thing that reminds me of it is a little scar right there."
Smith is part of a deep and talented backfield. Sophomore Julian Dean-Johnson has impressed in preseason workouts and so has freshman Lee West from South.
"Julian is amazing and Lee has come in as a freshman and is catching on really well," Smith said. "There's no doubt they can both get it done."
Smith said sitting out last season has made him more observant about the game.
"I've learned more patience," he said. "I see concepts of the game just like the coaches do as opposed to just going out and playing."
He said he hasn't set any yardage or touchdown goals for this season.
"I want to lead the team to as many victories as possible," he said. "As for the numbers, if they come, they come. As long as we win, it's fine."
