Tristan Smith shines in his Redhawk debut against UT Martin

Junior wide receiver Tristan Smith made a statement in his highly anticipated SEMO debut against the UT Martin Skyhawks, hauling in 7 catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.

Smith missed the first two games of the season recovering from an injury he suffered during the offseason.

Smith, a graduate of Hutchinson Community College, and a self proclaimed “JUCO Product” has worked hard to recover from his grueling injury.

“Back in fall camp, we were doing a scrimmage, and I went up for a pass. I caught it, and came down on my shoulder. I thought it was just a bump or a bruise. But I went to the doctor, and he told me I had a grade three AC joint sprain, and I had to be out for a couple weeks, those first two games,” Smith said.

Despite the shoulder injury, in the inception of his junior year, Smith scored a touchdown after a physical battle with a UT Martin defender, delivered to him by senior Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent.

Prior to the touchdown, Smith and DeLaurent found their rhythm together. Smith credits his chemistry with DeLaurent, and his never-give-up mindset for the touchdown. Smith's leaping ability, and 6-foot-5 frame allowed him to post-up the UT Martin defender.

“I know the play before I caught another pass, and I'm like, Okay, I caught my second pass of the game. I'm hyped, then I came back, and I knew I had an option route. I had a go ball, and I knew he [DeLaurent] was going to throw the ball to me,” Smith said, “I knew I had a go route, and I ran straight, and I looked back and saw the ball and jumped up and caught it away from my body. I just wanted to score. I wanted it more than he did.I just wanted it more than the defender.”

Smith, a standout dual-sport athlete at LaGrange High School in Georgia believes that his background on the basketball court has helped his game on the gridiron.

“I feel like it helped me a lot. Like when I was in high school and I played basketball, I averaged like 15 to 20 rebounds a game. My job was just to dunk the ball and grab rebounds, I feel like that has helped me with the transition over to football,” Smith said.

Although missing the first two games of the season, Smith's goals for this season have not wavered.

“I would say I have the same goals I had two games ago. 1000 yards, 12 touchdowns, All American, Preseason All-American for next year, and a ring. I want to win. I hate losing. Being from JUCO, one of the best JUCOs, we only lost two games, I hate losing. I don't want to lose anymore. I just want to reach the end goal and celebrate with my teammates. That's all, I just want to win,” Smith said.

Tristan Smith will make his return to the Redhawks lineup for the second time this season, and appear in his first War of the Wheel rivalry game when SEMO heads to Carbondale to battle the SIU Salukis, Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6 P.M.