University of Tennessee Athletics
ROB SMITH NAMED VOL-SCHOLAR OF THE WEEK
November 03, 2005 | Football
Nov. 3, 2005
Rob Smith plays a steadying role on Tennessee's offensive line. The junior captain has started 20 consecutive games dating to the kickoff of the 2004 football season.
But this week's Vol-Scholar Athlete of the Week has much more to offer than just football.
A Fort Thomas, Ky., native, Smith is a two-time Academic All-SEC selection. He graduates in May with a degree in criminal justice and this fall joins teammates Erik Ainge and James Wilhoit on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America ballot.
"Rob would have graduated this semester had he not chosen a harder route and decided to take Arabic as his foreign language," said Dan Carlson, academic counselor for football in the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center. "It is only offered in sequences, which pushed his graduation back to spring.
"The reason he chose Arabic is because he wants to work in the FBI after his football days are over and counter-terrorism jobs are in high demand if you can speak that language."
Smith, who is the only Vols offensive lineman to start every game each of the last two seasons, also is beginning work this spring toward his teacher certification in elementary education -- as a career backup because he loves working with kids.
All of which might just make Smith the next "Kindergarten Cop."
VOLS VYING FOR ANOTHER NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER
Tennessee wrapped up practice preparations for Saturday's non-conference clash at Notre Dame with a 90-minute workout Thursday. The Vols lost three straight games to finish October but traditionally have fared much better in the month of November.
UT owns a 75-5 record in November since 1985, including 32 wins against two losses on the road. Tennessee's two road setbacks during that span were at Memphis in 1996 and at Arkansas in 1999. Phillip Fulmer-coached teams are a sparkling 44-4 in November.
Part of Friday's team itinerary is a visit to the College Football Hall of Fame, located in South Bend. The Vols are staging a walk-through practice at Notre Dame Stadium before making their way to the college football museum, with a 3:15 p.m. Eastern time arrival expected.
INJURY REPORT (Notre Dame Week): Probable -- TB Arian Foster (knee/shoulder), DE Parys Haralson (knee), OT Arron Sears (toe), OG Rob Smith (shoulder), TB Ja'Kouri Williams (knee); Questionable -- C Richie Gandy (knee); Out -- Jerod Mayo (knee).
