Honors and Awards

Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2008)

2009 Game by Game Update (11-22-09)

Florida Atlantic: Started at left tackle... helped team to 259 rushing yards and 490 yards total offense... pushed Nebraska to 4-of-4 effort in red zone. Arkansas State: Protected NU QBs as offense racked up 358 yards through the air. Virginia Tech: Paved way for Huskers to record 207 yards rushing and 136 through the air... helped line post second game this season without allowing a QB sack. Louisiana-Lafayette: Paved way for rushing attack that had 133 yards and three TDs... O-line protected QBs as they put up 300 yards through the air. Missouri: Helped offense post four scores in the fourth quarter for come-from-behind win. Texas Tech: Started  sixth straight game of season. Iowa State: Made seventh start of season as NU posted 362 total offense yards. Baylor: Continued string of starts with eighth of year... joined O-line as Huskers did not allow a sack for third time on the season. Oklahoma: Helped Nebraska I-back Roy Helu Jr. to 138 rushing yards, including a 63-yard run.

2009 Outlook

Junior Mike Smith is a key part of a Nebraska offensive line that figures to be a strong point for the 2009 Huskers. Smith started 12 games at left tackle as a sophomore and is one of three returning starters on the offensive front this fall. The 6-6, 295-pound Smith is expected to return to his left tackle post, alongside fellow junior Keith Williams who also became a regular starter during his sophomore campaign.

Smith helped the Nebraska offense become one of the nation’s most complete units, as the Huskers ranked in the top 40 in all four major statistical categories, including 12th nationally in total offense. A converted defensive end, Smith has the agility needed to man the critical left tackle spot.

2008 (Sophomore)

Smith earned the starting left tackle spot during fall camp and was in the starting lineup for 12 contests. Smith and his fellow offensive linemen provided the power for Nebraska to score at least 30 points 10 times, while topping 400 yards nine times. The Huskers passed for at least 200 yards in all 13 games and the running game averaged 4.5 yards per attempt.

Smith protected the blindside of quarterback Joe Ganz, who threw for a school record 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns, while also producing a season record in total offense. The line became a strong run-blocking unit in the second half of the year, as NU averaged better than 210 rushing yards per game in the second half of the regular season.

2007 (Redshirt Freshman)

Smith played in all 12 games as a reserve tackle behind starters Lydon Murtha and Carl Nicks. Smith often blocked on the perimeter on screen plays, and he helped Nebraska rank in the top 10 nationally in both total offense and passing offense. He was also utilized on a few occasions as a tight end in power sets. Smith was also on NU’s PAT and field-goal units.

2006 (Redshirt)

Smith sat out the season as a redshirt and worked with the scout team defense, before switching to the offensive line in the spring of 2007.

Before Nebraska (Palo Verde HS)

Smith was the first Nebraska scholarship recruit from the state of Nevada since Albert Lewis Jr. in 1982. As a senior, Smith recorded 56 tackles and five sacks in earning first-team all-state honors for Coach Darwin Rost and Palo Verde High School. Smith added eight receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown as a tight end. Smith was ranked among the top 30 defensive ends in the country by both Scout.com and Rivals.com.

As a junior, Smith recorded 71 tackles and a state-leading 17 sacks in helping Palo Verde to a 14-0 record and the 2004 Southern 4A title. He also logged six catches for 122 yards in earning second-team all-state honors.

Smith was a three-sport star for Palo Verde, also playing basketball and baseball. He earned second-team all-state honors as a first baseman as a junior. As a senior, Smith led Class 4A in home runs (10) and runs batted in (54), while ranking third in batting average (.563) to help Palo Verde to a playoff berth. He earned first-team All-Southern Nevada and Northwest Division Player-of-the-Year honors. Smith chose Nebraska over Oregon, Oregon State and UNLV.

Personal

Mike, the son of Michael and Pattie Smith, was born on March 17, 1988. He is a marketing major, and was named to the 2006 Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll. Smith is on track to complete his undergraduate work in May of 2010, and would compete in his senior season as a graduate student. He has volunteered as part of the Huskers’ local hospital visits.

Career Numbers

Games Played-34 (12 in 2007, 13 in 2008, 9 in 2009)

Games Started-21 (12 in 2008, 9 in 2009)