CONWAY -- Big games are not uncommon to Tre Smith, but one had never come on a stage quite this size.
Smith, a 6-0, 195-pound junior cornerback and punt returner for Central Arkansas, excelled in each of his duties to lead UCA to a 28-23 victory over Arkansas State at Jonesboro on Saturday. It was the second victory for UCA, an Football Championship Subdivision school, over a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, and its first since 2009.
Smith returned two punts for 77 yards, including one for 47 yards and a touchdown. He intercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards to help set up a field goal, and he defended a pass in the UCA end zone on the final play to preserve the Bears' victory.