ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – Junior wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith didn't expect the kind of performance he had Saturday night in Cincinnati. But even if he didn't see it coming, head coach Scott Frost wasn't surprised.
In fact, Frost told the ESPNU television commentators in a Friday production meeting that he felt Smith was due for a breakout performance.
"I was glad to see Tre'Quan have the success he had last night," Frost said Sunday. "It's been in the making. His work ethic on the practice field and his leadership on our team … I knew how good a player we had there. The ball found him last night and he was due for a big night. We've been trying to generate some ways to get the ball in his hands. You can see why."
Smith hauled in five passes for 165 yards and a career-best three touchdowns. For good measure, he accounted for a fourth score with his first career rushing TD early in the third quarter.
"I know Coach Frost has some calls for me. I didn't expect anything like this at all," Smith said humbly. "I'm just grateful McKenzie found me every time I ran a route. I was able to get the ball. I just did my best to catch it."
Frost said Sunday that he has known from day one at UCF what kind of talent Smith had, but he's been just as impressed with his attitude toward the game and his team.
"In an era where there are a lot of receivers who are only worried about themselves, he's completely committed to the team," Frost said. "He was due for a big night like that because of the work he's put in and the sacrifices he's made. It was awesome to watch that pay off."
After his three scores through the air Saturday night, Smith has now joined some elite UCF company. His career touchdown reception total stands at 16, which ties him for No. 10 in school history. He's tied with UCF Hall of Famer (and current tight ends coach) Sean Beckton and current NFL wide receiver Breshad Perriman. His next TD will tie him with current NFL star Kamar Aiken.
Smith accounted for half of the Knights' scores vs. the Bearcats. UCF lit up the scoreboard all eight times they had possession Saturday night. Frost has guided some very prolific offenses, both as a quarterback and an offensive coordinator. Even he had never seen anything like the Knights' performance at Nippert Stadium.
"At my last school I coached at, when we were really rolling on offense we had a lot of good games. But I don't remember one that was quite that clean or that dominant, offensively," Frost said. "Forty plays and 51 points … everything those guys did worked last night. It's unbelievable to watch that happen. I'm excited to watch the confidence that's built off that."