DeVonta Smith has record-setting day against Ole Miss

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama junior wide receiver DeVonta Smith had the game of a lifetime against Ole Miss on Saturday, breaking multiple Crimson Tide receiving records in the 59-31 win over the Rebels.

He finished with 11 catches for 274 yards and five touchdowns.

“I just come out here to just play football,” Smith said. “Whatever happens happens.

“I wouldn’t call it in the zone. I would just call it coaches called the plays and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

11 REC, 274 YDS, 5 TD

DeVonta Smith’s record-breaking game was one of the best performances you’ll see from a wide receiver. pic.twitter.com/HtEPV3kT5O
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 28, 2019

Smith’s 274 receiving yards broke the Alabama record for the most in a single game. The record was previously held by Amari Cooper with 224 yards, which he did twice during the 2014 season.

The second mark was his five receiving touchdowns.

The previous record was three, held by multiple former Alabama receivers. The most recent receiver to have three touchdown receptions in a single game was ArDarius Stewart against Mississippi State in 2016.

So far in his career, Smith’s most memorable moment to fans was his game-winning touchdown catch against Georgia in the 2018 National Championship. Smith said that it’s been a goal for him since then to become known for more than just that catch.

“That’s been the goal the whole time — just to get my name established,” Smith said. “Not as someone that just caught the game-winning catch — just to get myself more out there.”

Now, going into Week 6, Smith leads the Crimson Tide in both receiving yards with 537 and touchdowns with eight.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban praised Smith after the game, referring to him by his nickname.

“Smitty did a great job of running after the catch today on a couple of those big plays that he made,” Saban said. “He made a touchdown on the fade ball in the end zone. You know, Smitty is a very very good player, he’s a hard worker and, you know, he got his today. He had the opportunities and he got ‘em.”

After so much preseason hype for Alabama's other junior receivers, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, Smith is definitely reiterating that his name belongs in the conversation right along with them.

Junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa reiterated that he believes that all the members of the Alabama receiving corps had great days, but that Smith had the best day.

“I think all of our guys are in the zone,” Tagovailoa said. “It just so happened that he was in the zone about five times. He made plays when plays needed to be made and you know I think he did a great job today.”

Regarding how he plans to maintain his status as the Crimson Tide’s leading receiver this season, the quiet Smith emphasized taking it slowly.

“Just going out here and taking it day by day, step by step, going to practice,” Smith said. “Just work like I’ve been doing.”