Hall of Fame Spotlight: Smith a Player Ahead of His Time
7/14/2014 9:42:00 AM | Football
Millersville, Pa. - The versatile tight end that can play on the line, flex into the slot and create match-up problems with size and speed is all the rage in the football's spread offenses of today. But back in the late 1980's, Roger Smith was a trendsetter for the Millersville Marauders.
In an era of run-heavy offenses, Roger Smith was a player ahead of his time. The year before Smith stepped onto campus the Marauders totaled 515 rushes compared to just 165 pass attempts. That started to change with a weapon like Smith at the disposal of Gene Carpenter's offenses.
"Roger was the reason Millersville emerged from a run-oriented offense to one that became multi-faceted through the air as well as on the ground," said former Marauder quarterback and Smith teammate Bret Stover. "He made us so difficult to game plan against. Roger paved the way for the Bill Burkes to follow in his footsteps, he changed the tight end position forever."
From 1985-88, Smith set Millersville records for career receptions, receptions in a season and longest reception. He was a three-time All-PSAC East selection, including first team recognition in his junior and senior seasons, and a two-time All-America honorable mention honoree.
Smith's impact was undeniable. Smith served as the top pass catcher during one of the top four-year stretches in Millersville history. In his career, the Marauders won back-to-back PSAC East titles in 1987-88, and a remarkable 20-4 record against the division. His teammates and coaches voted him the offensive MVP during his sophomore season of 1987. He was Stover's favorite target, accounting for 43 percent of his team's receptions and 46 percent of the team's receiving yards that season.
Smith was the first Marauder to lead his team in catches and receiving yards in three consecutive seasons and remains one of only four to accomplish the feat. He was also the first to compile at least 600 yards receiving and 40-plus catches in back-to-back seasons.
"Roger had a drive and determination like no other player I have ever played with--not just to play college football, but to be the best at his position," said Stover. "He worked tirelessly in perfecting his craft of being a stand up tight end. He was the original Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski. Roger always wanted the ball when the game was on the line, and I knew if I got it close to him, he'd come down with the ball. Teams knew I was going to throw to him. They'd set two and sometimes three defenders to him, but he would not be denied and found a way to get open."
Following a record-setting season of 47 catches and 692 yards in 1987, Smith caught 41 passes for 624 yards while the Marauders rolled to the NCAA Division II playoffs and the ECAC Lambert Cup. Oft-regarded as the finest football team ever fielded at Millersville, the 1988 club won 10 games, made the school's first NCAA Division II playoff appearance and reached the NCAA Quarterfinals against top-ranked North Dakota State. Smith rose to the occasion, catching two second quarter touchdown passes.
Even 26 years later, Smith ranks among Millersville's top 10 in career receptions and career touchdown catches.
Smith graduated from Millersville in 1989 with a degree in industrial education. He graduated high school from Milton Hershey School, where he is now a Senior Division Student Program Leader, head junior varsity football coach, assistant varsity football coach and head coach of the track and field team. Smith and his wife, Crystal, are the parents of three children: Tiyana, Tyreese and Teeya. They reside in Susquehanna Township in Harrisburg, Pa.
Smith will be honored at the induction dinner and ceremony on Friday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. in the Lehr Center on the campus of Millersville University. There is an open invitation for the induction dinner and ceremony. The cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner and induction ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for children and $7 for a football ticket to Saturday's game. Reservations are required. Visit www.millersville.edu/alumni to register for the dinner or call the office at 800-681-1855 to register.
In an era of run-heavy offenses, Roger Smith was a player ahead of his time. The year before Smith stepped onto campus the Marauders totaled 515 rushes compared to just 165 pass attempts. That started to change with a weapon like Smith at the disposal of Gene Carpenter's offenses.
"Roger was the reason Millersville emerged from a run-oriented offense to one that became multi-faceted through the air as well as on the ground," said former Marauder quarterback and Smith teammate Bret Stover. "He made us so difficult to game plan against. Roger paved the way for the Bill Burkes to follow in his footsteps, he changed the tight end position forever."
From 1985-88, Smith set Millersville records for career receptions, receptions in a season and longest reception. He was a three-time All-PSAC East selection, including first team recognition in his junior and senior seasons, and a two-time All-America honorable mention honoree.
Smith's impact was undeniable. Smith served as the top pass catcher during one of the top four-year stretches in Millersville history. In his career, the Marauders won back-to-back PSAC East titles in 1987-88, and a remarkable 20-4 record against the division. His teammates and coaches voted him the offensive MVP during his sophomore season of 1987. He was Stover's favorite target, accounting for 43 percent of his team's receptions and 46 percent of the team's receiving yards that season.
Smith was the first Marauder to lead his team in catches and receiving yards in three consecutive seasons and remains one of only four to accomplish the feat. He was also the first to compile at least 600 yards receiving and 40-plus catches in back-to-back seasons.
"Roger had a drive and determination like no other player I have ever played with--not just to play college football, but to be the best at his position," said Stover. "He worked tirelessly in perfecting his craft of being a stand up tight end. He was the original Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski. Roger always wanted the ball when the game was on the line, and I knew if I got it close to him, he'd come down with the ball. Teams knew I was going to throw to him. They'd set two and sometimes three defenders to him, but he would not be denied and found a way to get open."
Following a record-setting season of 47 catches and 692 yards in 1987, Smith caught 41 passes for 624 yards while the Marauders rolled to the NCAA Division II playoffs and the ECAC Lambert Cup. Oft-regarded as the finest football team ever fielded at Millersville, the 1988 club won 10 games, made the school's first NCAA Division II playoff appearance and reached the NCAA Quarterfinals against top-ranked North Dakota State. Smith rose to the occasion, catching two second quarter touchdown passes.
Even 26 years later, Smith ranks among Millersville's top 10 in career receptions and career touchdown catches.
Smith graduated from Millersville in 1989 with a degree in industrial education. He graduated high school from Milton Hershey School, where he is now a Senior Division Student Program Leader, head junior varsity football coach, assistant varsity football coach and head coach of the track and field team. Smith and his wife, Crystal, are the parents of three children: Tiyana, Tyreese and Teeya. They reside in Susquehanna Township in Harrisburg, Pa.
Smith will be honored at the induction dinner and ceremony on Friday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. in the Lehr Center on the campus of Millersville University. There is an open invitation for the induction dinner and ceremony. The cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner and induction ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for children and $7 for a football ticket to Saturday's game. Reservations are required. Visit www.millersville.edu/alumni to register for the dinner or call the office at 800-681-1855 to register.
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