Smith Recognized By SEC

FAYETTEVILLE - University of Arkansas junior defensive end Chris Smith has been named SEC co-Defensive Lineman of the Week, it was announced Monday.

Smith registered a career-high eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss with 1.0 sack, two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and his first career forced fumble in Saturday's 19-15 win over Tulsa. The forced fumble, which came on a sack, was recovered by Byran Jones with 41 seconds left in the game to clinch Arkansas' victory.

Smith ranks fourth in the SEC in sacks with 5.5 this season and is tied for 10th in the conference with 8.0 tackles for loss. Arkansas is the only school with two players ranked among the top eight in the SEC in sacks as sophomore Trey Flowers' 4.5 sacks are the eighth-most in the conference. Smith, a Mount Ulla, N.C., native, also leads the Razorbacks in quarterback hurries with 10, and his 37 tackles are the most among defensive linemen on the team.

This is the second time this season Smith has earned co-Defensive Lineman of the Week recognition from the conference office. He also was selected as one of the best defensive linemen in the conference following the season-opening win over Jacksonville State when he tied his career high at the time with six tackles, 1.0 for loss with 1.0 sack, and added one quarterback hurry.

The Razorbacks return to action this week at South Carolina in a game set for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on CBS.

To keep up with Smith and the rest of the Arkansas football postseason awards campaign follow @ARKTD2012 on Twitter.