October 5, 2009

BRYANT'S JERELL SMITH NAMED NEC CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN FOOTBALL
Senior tailback rushes for 178 yards in win over Wagner last weekend  

Jerell Smith was named the NEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week with 178 yards rushing in Bryant's win over Wagner last weekend.  The Bulldogs travel to Fordham on Saturday for a 6 pm game.  www.dspics.com

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Two days after rushing for a season-high 178 yards on 31 carries against Wagner, Bryant University senior running back Jerell Smith was named the Northeast Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, sharing the award with Albany's David McCarty. The award marks the first football honor since becoming eligible for weekly awards this season.

Smith, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., had a huge day for the Bulldogs in the 6-2 win on Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.  Despite a steady rain throughout the game, Smith had 99 yards in the first half alone and helped put the game away with the decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

After Wagner went up 2-0 thanks to a high snap on a punt that was scored a safety, Smith broke through for a 17-yard touchdown run to put the Bulldogs ahead for good with 10:29 remaining.

Smith enters this Saturday's game at Fordham (6 p.m. / WOON 1240 AM) third all-time in school history with 2,220 career rushing yards in three seasons at Bryant.  A transfer from Howard University as a sophomore, Smith currently stands sixth all-time with 12 career rushing touchdowns and has gone over the 100 yard mark nine times in his career. 

Last year, Smith rushed for a career-high 221 yards against Southern Connecticut. 

He is currently second in the NEC this season in rushing with 114.5 yards per game.

NEC Football Co-Offensive Players of the Week
JERELL SMITH, BRYANT
David McCarty, Albany

NEC Football Defensive Player of the Week
Marcus Dorsey, Central Connecticut State

NEC Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Kyle Harbridge, Saint Francis (PA)

NEC Football Rookie of the Week
Larry McCoy, Duquesne