He left the field with a towel drenched over his mangled right hand. Another towel dangling from his mouth. For a night as magical as this, it was a cruel way for DeVonta Smith’s dazzling college football season and career to end.
It took one hit—an awkward tackle to begin the second half to end Smith’s evening. From there, he took an extended stay in the injury tent before vanishing to the locker room. And like that, it was all over.
What happened in the previous 30 minutes, however, is something the sport will be processing for some time.