Indiana University Athletics
Smith Named Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Week
10/2/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
October 2, 2000
Smith Named Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Week
Heisman Trophy Candidate Antwaan Randle El Notes
Bloomington, Ind. -- Justin Smith (Indianapolis/ Warren Central), a 6-foot, 218-pound, junior linebacker and Butkus Award candidate, was named Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Week for his efforts in Indiana's win vs. Iowa this past Saturday. Smith recorded 13 tackles, including 6 tackles for loss (-35 yards) and 4 sacks (-31 yards). He also broke up a pass. On Iowa's second possession of the game he sacked QB Jon Beutjer for a 7-yard loss on a 3rd-n-8 from the IU-39. At the end of the first half, sacked Beutjer for a 9-yard loss on a 1st-n-goal from the IU-5-yard line and followed up that play up on second down with a pass broken up that ultimately forced a field goal. On the season, Smith has recorded 31 tackles and leads the Big Ten in both tackles for loss (9-50) and sacks (5-38).
In four games in 2000, junior Heisman Trophy candidate Antwaan Randle El has completed 43 of 91 passes for 708 yards and 6 touchdowns (1 INT). He has also rushed for 398 yards and 6 touchdowns. Indiana is averaging 39.8 points per game (10th nationally) and 477.8 yards per contest (7th).
Joining an Exclusive Club: In 26 career games, Randle El has rushed for 2,059 yards and passed for 4,730. With a career-high 187 rushing yards vs. Iowa, he became only the sixth player in Div. IA history to gain 2,000 career yards rushing and 4,000 career yards passing.
• Other quarterbacks gaining 2,000 yards rushing and 4,000 yards passing in a career are as follows: Major Harris, West Virginia, 1987-89 (2,030 rushing, 4,834 passing); Brian Mitchell, Southwestern Louisiana, 1986-89 (3,335 rushing, 5,447 passing); Rickey Foggie, Minnesota, 1984-87 (2,038 rushing, 4,903 passing); John Bond, Mississippi State, 1980-83 (2,280 rushing, 4,621 passing); Prince McJunkins, Wichita State, 1979-82 (2,047 rushing, 4,514 passing).
Mr. Touchdown: Having accounted for three touchdowns in game four vs. Iowa, Randle El has now accounted for 58 touchdowns (29 passing, 29 rushing) during his 26-game career. He is responsible for 178 points through the air (including two two-point conversions) and 174 points rushing. Michigan's Rick Leach (1975-78) is the only player in the history of college football who scored 200 points and passed for 200 points (scored 204, passed for 270) during a career.
Taking Care of the Football: Randle El has done a remarkable job avoiding interceptions. Since a first quarter INT vs. Northwestern in game six of the 1999 season, the junior signal caller has thrown two interceptions in IU's last 39 quarters of play. He has thrown two interceptions in his last 240 attempts. Since the first quarter interception vs. Northwestern, Randle El has completed 120 of 240 passes for 1,981 yards and 15 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
