James Lang-US PRESSWIRE
Life is good for West Virginia University senior Geno Smith. Thus far this season, the talented quarterback has led the West Virginia Mountaineers to lopsided wins over Marshall and James Madison. And, oh yeah, Smith has emerged as the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy Award.
Yes, the Mountaineers moved to the Big 12 Conference and brought a top Heisman candidate with them. The highly-accurate Smith has only thrown nine incomplete passes. In two games, Smith has completed 66 of 75 passes for 734 yards and nine touchdowns. The experienced West Virginia signal-caller has yet to throw an interception. The athletic Smith also rushed for a touchdown in West Virginia’s victory over in-state rival Marshall in a season-opener.
In case you hadn’t heard, Smith erupted in 2011, completing 346 of 526 passes for 4,385 yards and 31 touchdowns. Smith, who heading into the 2012 season had only thrown seven interceptions in each of the last two campaigns, led West Virginia to a 10-3 record and Big East Conference and Discover Orange Bowl titles during the 2011 campaign.
A Miami native, Smith started coming on strong for the Mountaineers in 2010, his sophomore season. As a sophomore, Smith completed 241 of 372 passes for 2,763 yards and 24 touchdowns. Opposing defenses found out early that Smith could produce. In limited playing time as a freshman in 2009, Smith completed 32 of 49 passes for 309 yards and one touchdown.
Smith’s pursuit for the Heisman won’t feature an easy road. West Virginia will host the Maryland Terrapins this week before opening play in the always-tough Big 12 Conference. The Baylor Bears, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Kansas State Wildcats, TCU Horned Frogs, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Oklahoma Sooners, Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas Jayhawks await Smith and the Mountaineers.
