Rodney Smith didn't fake being happy to watch Shannon Brooks' 40-yard second-quarter touchdown run in the Gophers' 27-24 win Saturday.
Sure, it was a glimpse at another tailback possibly being the future instead of him.
But Smith, a redshirt freshman starter, jumped up and celebrated his true freshman teammate's first career touchdown.
"I can't explain why, but I felt like a big brother," Smith said. "We put in all that work this summer. And seeing him go out there and produce on the field made me feel good."
Smith led the team in rushing with 16 carries for 94 yards.