Smith out for year, to undergo surgery

Staff Reports
The Collegian

Fresno State star punt kick returner Clifton Smith is out for the season with a torn knee ligament, The Fresno Bee reported Tuesday.

Smith went down during the first quarter of Saturday’s 37-34 loss to Oregon after he caught at a 14-yard pass from Paul Pinegar near the end zone. In the next play, Wendell Mathis rushed for a 3-yard touchdown for the first score of the game.

In the season opener against Weber State, Smith became the first Bulldog in school history to return two punts for touchdowns.

His first return was a straight dash for 92 yards. His second return, which was for 84 yards, not only put him in the record book, but it also landed him on the elusive ESPN top 10 plays of the day on Sept. 10 — as well as helped him earn the Western Athletic Conference special team player of the week.

An MRI revealed the damage Monday and Smith is scheduled to have surgery on his left knee today, the Bee said.

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