Bucknell University Athletics
Smith Having Trouble Shaking Injuries
10/4/2010 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 4, 2010
By Todd Merriett, Bucknell Athletic Communications
Four games with a concussion in 2008. Two games with a shoulder injury in 2009. Three games - and counting - with a stress fracture in 2010.
The number of games left in a career keeps getting smaller and no one knows that better than Bucknell senior fullback Ryan Smith. He has missed nearly one-quarter of his Bison career due to a variety of injuries.
"It's frustrating, but at the same time, it's part of the game," says Smith about dealing with injuries. "You are going to get injured playing football and you just have to learn to recover and get back as soon as you can. You dedicate your entire year to football and it comes down to these 11 games, and when you are kept out of any of them it is a very frustrating experience, especially as a senior when the end is in sight."
Smith, who has a stress fracture in his foot, was hoping to return to the gridiron this afternoon against Cornell, but he suffered a setback in his first full practice back with the team this past Sunday. After enduring the team's 0-3 start from the sideline, it looks like he will be forced to stay there longer.
Smith's career at Bucknell started off on a promising note as he rushed for 130 yards as a freshman in 2007. Eighty of those yards came in the season's final two outings, setting up what figured to be a memorable sophomore campaign.
That sophomore year launched well for Smith as he totaled 129 yards rushing and 21 yards receiving in season-opening wins over Duquesne and Robert Morris. However, in week three he suffered a concussion against Cornell and that hampered him the rest of the year. Smith ended up with just 183 yards rushing after such a promising beginning.
A shoulder injury plagued Smith last fall, although he was able to record a career-high 283 yards rushing and 74 yards receiving out of the backfield. Just like his freshman campaign, he ended the year on a high note with 63 yards on the ground in an upset of No. 13 Holy Cross, the Patriot League champions.
Entering the 2010 preseason Smith was first on new head coach Joe Susan's depth chart at fullback. However, the stress fracture in his foot that occurred during the preseason sidelined him once again. Watching the losses to Duquesne, Marist and Dartmouth has been difficult for the competitive Smith.
"There is no other way to put it: losing sucks," says Smith, who entered 2010 with four career touchdowns to top all Bison. "When you aren't winning, things aren't as fun. It's twice as bad when you are on the sideline since you can't contribute as much as you would like to."
Smith has worked hard to get back on the field and join his teammates. He has religiously used a bone growth stimulator every night for 20 minutes that was given to him by Bucknell head athletic trainer Mark Keppler.
"I don't know exactly what it does, but it is supposed to speed up the recovery of the fracture," mentions a smiling Smith, who began running a little bit during the team's bye week and was scheduled to start practicing at full speed earlier this week.
Despite being sidelined, Smith should be in top physical shape once he does return because of the work he does with strength and conditioning coach John Field. Instead of sitting idly in the stands watching practices throughout September, Smith was hard at work.
"Injured guys go with Coach Field and we go through a pretty strenuous workout program," explains Smith, who at 5'10", 205 pounds is one of Bucknell's most solidly built running backs. "Whatever you can do, you will be doing while the rest of the guys are on the field.
"I still need to get my legs back, but as far as lifting and strength goes, I am in good shape."
When Smith returns to the field, whether that is next week against Penn, or next month, he will be playing a slightly different role than in the past. When Susan took over the program and adjusted the offense from an option-based attack to a pro-style setup, he instituted the use of a fullback, a position Smith now plays.
"Learning the offense is a huge change and that started back in the spring all the way up to preseason camp when we were still putting in formations," says Smith, who has made it a focus to guide freshman and fellow fullback Travis Friend through the learning process. "It is definitely more blocking at times, but I am also playing halfback, which means I need to know both positions. It is a little more on my shoulders, but as a senior I am willing to take on that responsibility."
A friendly competition has ensued between Smith and Friend, a starter in each of Bucknell's first three games. Smith, who has tried to take on a larger leadership role as a senior, compares it to a partnership where they are rooting for each other and helping each other out.
As Smith guides the younger Friend, it is impossible not to watch that career clock continue to tick toward zero, especially with another game coming off the total this afternoon. That has forced Smith to begin to look at the future, including next spring and beyond.
"It's going to be a different world," remarks Smith about springtime with no football practice. "I talked to last year's seniors about it and they said you wake up, go to class and come back from class and have the rest of the day to figure out what to do. I'll probably have to pick up some new hobbies."
One of those hobbies could very well be searching for a job. Smith is a management major, but has not had much of a chance to do the job search, although just last week he did attend a career fair that was held inside Gerhard Fieldhouse. The Mt. Airy, Md., native does know he wants to find a job somewhere in the Baltimore area, keeping him close to his family and friends.
Until that time Smith can be found working hard and trying to get back on the field. The last thing he wants is for those games missed numbers to grow more. Ten is already too many.
Note: This story appeared in the Oct. 2 Bucknell Football Gameday Program vs. Cornell.
