Smith Not About To Give Up The Ship
Linebacker Is 'Cats' Silent Leader On Field I
Everything was quiet on the Shively front last Thursday prior to Kentucky's contest against Virginia Tech. The Wildcat football team was going through its normal weekday practice. Everything seemed normal. Goal line drills followed by post-practice stretching exercises meant that workouts were complete.
Just another routine practice, you say? Not really.
Things, though, are not going as predicted in the UK camp.
Due to the recent time change, practices on the gridiron now end practically at dusk. With each session the sun seems to be falling faster and faster from a view at the Shively Center, thus ending outside activity for the day. This scenario typifies Kentucky's 1986 season. After seven battles it, too, seems to be falling fast by the wayside.
Another day. . .another practice. One might call it going through the motions.
				
			Nick Nicholas Cats' Pause Columnist	
				
At least that's the feeling which seemed to surround Jerry Claiborne's practice on this particular afternoon. That feeling was just as apparent as the players' frustrations following UK's most recent defeats.
Usually the team ends the day with a cheer geared for its upcoming game. The team's chant of "Beat Virginia Tech, beat Virginia Tech" was at a less than normal enthusiastic pitch. Disappointment was in the air. You'd need a Black & Decker chainsaw to cut through it.
Where to go? What's left?
What's left for these UK student/athletes who work for the weekends only to see SEC schools pin loss after loss to their hides?
"It seems like there are three or four plays during the game that prevents me from having a real good game." said UK linebacker Larry Smith.
Larry Smith is not one to give up. While no one could blame him or any other UK player for being disappointed and ready to give up the ship, Smith continues to have faith and confidence. With only a few games remaining in his collegiate career, this senior is not about to throw in the towel.
Whether Kentucky wins or loses he'll always be ready to prepare and challenge the Wildcats' next foe.
UK Linebacker Is Looking For Perfection
"Hopefully, I'm going to put it together this week and don't have any bad plays," said the Washington County product before the squad's trip to Blacksburg. "But I have to just keep trying, keep trying and maybe I'll have that great game one of these days."
Smith is not the type to toot his own horn. The way he talks you'd think he was having a bad season. That's not the case at all.
The 6-foot-l, 226 pound defensive whiz was credited with a season-high 19 stops against Georgia. He also had the same results against Rutgers earlier in the year. And, after seven games he had racked up more tackles than anyone on Kentucky's defense97.
Last season he was No. 1 in the conference in tackle department, credited with 152 total hits.
When Kentucky officials prepare pre-game material, the statistics of Larry Smith are always featured. Other than Joe Worley's extra point attempts, there's not a more sure thing on this team than a Smith performance.
When it comes to individual records, Kentucky's left linebacker would probably be more interested in Bob Seger's latest hits than his own.
"I guess statistics can show that you're playing pretty decent, if you make a lot of tackles," Smith said. "But there other things too. Linebackers are supposed to make tackles; they're supposed to lead the team in tackles. They are also supposed to make the big plays. I haven't been making them (big plays) this year and I need to start so I can really contribute to the team.
"I want to play good, personally. But, it's a team (sport). Winning makes everything go good. Even if you're playing bad and you're winning then you can still feel good about yourself. When we start winning again everybody will start feeling good about themselves.
"Winning can make everything better."
Two years ago "winning" seemed to hover in the Lexington air. A bright future was supposed to follow UK's program after its 20-19 win over a talented Wisconsin Badger crew from Big Ten Land. Prior to taking on Virginia Tech, meanwhile, more losses than wins (nine to eight) had polluted the football 'Cats' slate.
Smith did not get to play against Wisconsin in the '84 Hall of Fame Bowl because
of a mid-season knee injury.
No Regrets For Larry Smith
Unless Kentucky pulls a bowl bid out of its hat, Smith, who was Claiborne's only "true" freshman to letter in 1983, will not be involved in a post-season victory. No regrets, though, follow this quiet but cool customer from Central Kentucky.
"It's been real good for me," said Smith. "The education has been good and I've got to play college football in the best league in the nation. I've got to play with a bunch of guys I really like. The coaches have been great. . .they're great coaches.
"You couldn't ask for anything more than that."
The Wildcat staff couldn't ask for any more of Smith, either.
"Larry is a hard worker and he'll play hurt," said defensive coordinator Terry Strock. "I don't think he's in the same class as the kid at Alabama (Cornelius Bennett), but he's on par with most of the linebackers in the Southeastern Conference.
"He (Smith) doesn't have a whole lot to say but he leads by example with his play on the field."
"Everybody says I'm quiet but I think I talk a lot," said Smith with a smile. "I think I talk enough to get everybody going. Out on the field everybody knows what they have to do. If we get into some trouble I might say, 'We've got to hold 'em here. This is a big play.' I try to get everybody fired up.
"During the game, everybody is into it. You don't have to tell us to get ready, we're ready. . .1 just concentrate on what I have to do."
Asked if Smith has a shot at the professional ranks, Strock believes there may be a position open for UK's No. 40. The Wildcat assistant mentioned that many pro squads carry a number of linebackers because of different running and passing situations. He mentioned that Smith's ability to easily learn new plays along with his strong desire are what pro scouts are looking for.
UK Linebacker Larry Smith
They're also looking for talent, something which he has demonstrated to Wildcat opponents on numerous occasions.
"I'd give it (pro ball) a shot," Smith said. "If the chance comes along I'd give it the best shot I've got. I don't know. . .it would be tough. But I'm not really thinking about it."
Kentucky Opponents Always On His Mind
Presently he's thinking about the rest of his college career. More paticular the opponent at hand, which on this day was Virginia Tech. A recreation major, Smith hopes the 'Cats can regroup and finish on a positive note.
Despite the team's low morale. Smith said all UK needs is one win to get the team back on track. Ah, winning, the common cure.
Defeating three SEC opponentsVanderbilt, Florida and Tennesseewould ease recent league losses to Mississippi, LSU and Georgia.
"We're always bustin' butts out there," he said in reference to practice and game days. "We just have to keep concentrating because we can't lose concentration on any play, that's when they might hurt us.
"We just have to go full speed on every play and we'll win the rest of our ballgames."
If there's anyone who hasn't given up, it's Larry Smith. Win, lose or draw he'll always be back for another chance at victory.