Alex Smith

Bio

Selected as a First Team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America in 2004, Alex Smith finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting while claiming Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year honors. A Mountain West Conference (MWC) First Team selection in 2004 and Second Team in 2003, Smith led the Utes to MWC titles in 2003 and 2004. He was named the MWC Offensive Player of the Year in 2004. Smith became the starter as a sophomore in 2003 and threw for 2,247 yards with 15 touchdowns, culminating in a win in the Liberty Bowl and a No. 21 AP ranking. The following season, Smith led Utah to its first-ever 12-0 season and a BCS bowl berth, the Fiesta Bowl against Pitt. Smith claimed MVP honors in the game, passing for 328 yards and four touchdowns in the 35-7 win. The Fiesta Bowl appearance marked the first time a team from a non-automatically qualifying BCS conference played in a BCS bowl, earning the Utes the distinction as the inaugural "BCS Buster." The Utes would finish at No. 4 in the AP Poll. During the 2004 season, Smith ranked second nationally in efficiency rating (176.5), third in yards per attempt (9.3), fifth in completion percentage (67.5), and fifth in passing touchdowns (32). At the conference level, he set the record for career completion percentage (66.3%), and he led the MWC in passing (2,952 yards) and all-purpose yards per game (298.6). Smith set Utah records for career pass efficiency (164.4), career yards per play (7.19), single-season touchdown passes (32 in 2004) and single-season total touchdowns (42 in 2004). He also set Utah records for career completion percentage (63.3%), single season pass efficiency (176.5 in 2004), and career quarterback wins (21). Smith finished his career with 389 completions for 5,203 yards and 47 touchdowns, adding 286 rushes for 1,072 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Smith also excelled in the classroom, earning CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year honors and as a First Team Academic All-America pick in 2004. He was also a two-time Academic All-Mountain West selection.

Career Highlights

• 2004 Academic All-America
• 2004 All-Conference
• 2004 Conference Most Valuable Player
• 2004 Consensus All-America
• 2004 Heisman - Fourth