Is NC State’s running back emerging as a surprise Heisman candidate?

Brian Schaible

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Is NC State’s running back emerging as a surprise Heisman candidate? image

NC State’s comeback win over Wake Forest pushed the Wolfpack to 3-0 and gave running back Hollywood Smothers another chance to shine on a big stage. Through three weeks, Smothers has already totaled 380 rushing yards with three touchdowns, adding 10 catches for 42 yards in the passing game. His steady production and big play ability are drawing early Heisman Trophy attention.

Hollywood downplayed the individual spotlight in the locker room. “Just what we came to do, going 1-0 every week was a blessing,” he said. “This team’s got a lot of grit. That’s our goal, go 1-0 every week. Just a regular day.”

Even after the Wolfpack fell behind 14-0 to Wake Forest, Smothers never lost faith. “We are family here. We believe in each other. We’re going to fight. We might bend, but we never break. We knew the game wasn’t over…players make plays and I think that’s what we did.”

The numbers back up his impact. Smothers is averaging six yards per carry this fall and has already matched his pace from last season, when he rushed for 571 yards and six touchdowns. Now just seven yards shy of 1,000 for his career, he is putting himself in position to become one of the ACC’s most dangerous offensive weapons.

If he is going to make a serious run at the Heisman, the upcoming stretch will be critical. NC State travels to Duke, then hosts Virginia Tech and Campbell before a brutal second half that features Notre Dame, Miami, Pitt, Florida State, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech.

NC State has not had a Heisman finalist since Phillip Rivers finished seventh in 2003. Smothers is beginning to build the résumé to change that, but for now he keeps the focus simple. “It’s a blessing, but it ain’t our goal. Our goal is to go 1-0 each week.”

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Brian Schaible

Brian Schaible is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience covering college and professional sports. Brian holds a master’s degree in journalism/public relations from Kent State University.