Joseph Vasquez / The Collegian

Rest easy, red-wavers. “Batmanâ€Â is back.

When senior running back Clifton Smith tore his ACL in 2005 at Oregon, many thought his career was over. In ten games last season, Smith was forced into a limited role, mostly participating on special teams.

If last week̢۪s impressive performance against Louisiana Tech was his coming out party, then Saturday̢۪s game in Reno was a rager.

On Saturday against Nevada, Smith returned the first Wolf Pack punt 67 yards for a touchdown.

“I said all week I felt like something big was going to happen on special teams,â€Â Smith said. “I’m just glad they kicked the ball my way. It felt good to finally get back into the end zone on a punt return.â€Â

This return was long overdue for Smith, whose last punt return touchdown was in 2005 against Weber State, when he had three punt returns for 189 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was good to see Clifton get back into the end zone,â€Â quarterback Tom Brandstater said. “He has been talking about returning a punt for a while.â€Â

Smith has been the spark plug of the Bulldogs̢۪ offense as of late. In his last two games he has five receptions for 74 yards and eight carries for 63 yards. Most importantly he has scored three touchdowns in his last two games.

“Lately I had been trying too hard to make things happen,â€Â Smith said. “I just gotta be like Barry Bonds and let the pitch come to me.â€Â

Fans watched Smith carve up opposing punt teams like a knife cutting through butter. Against the Wolf Pack, Smith looked like he was back at Edison High School, making people miss, fall on their face and shake their heads in frustration.

Smith could be qualified as the “X-Factorâ€Â of the Bulldogs this season. Watching him play brings up images of former USC offensive juggernaut Reggie Bush.

Like Bush, Smith is able to line up at receiver, run the ball out of the backfield and provide a huge impact on special teams. This is not too shabby for a guy who started his collegiate career playing cornerback.

Lately, offensive coordinator Jim McElwain has been putting Smith as a single back taking snaps at the quarterback position. Out of this formation, Smith has been used to gain yardage on third down conversions, but Smith ran in for a touchdown out of this formation on Saturday.

“We had been working on that formation all week in practice,â€Â Smith said. “Coach knows my athletic ability and can line me up anywhere.â€Â

When asked if he would be throwing out of that formation, Smith remained optimistic.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to air it out one time,â€Â Smith said.

Over Smith̢۪s career at Fresno State, the REDZONE has grown a special affinity for him and his high-energy playing style. Every time Smith scores a touchdown he shows his love for the student section by saluting and pointing at them.

“Man, you know I always gotta shout out at the student section,â€Â Smith said. “It’s good to give them something to cheer about finally.â€Â

Smith draws much of his inspiration from Batman. And like the “The Dark Knight,â€Â he has come back out of the dark to protect Fresno fans from villains such as the Rainbow Warriors, Bucking Broncos and dreaded Silicon Valley Spartans.

Watching Smith running back a punt would be really entertaining with Nelson Riddle̢۪s patented Batman theme song playing in the background. Heck, Bulldog Stadium could even add sound effects when Smith cuts and breaks tackles: Bam! Pow! Whamm!

But don̢۪t expect Smith to bust out his patented Batman T-shirt anytime soon.

“Our coaches don’t like it too much,â€Â Smith said. “If I show it off, it’s a 15-yard penalty. But keep your eyes open.â€Â