DeVonta Smith sets two Alabama single-game receiving records

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Before Saturday, DeVonta Smith was best known for hauling in Tua Tagovailoa’s game-winning touchdown in overtime of the 2018 national championship game against Georgia. Now there’s a new reason to remember the receiver’s name.

Smith put together the greatest single-game performance by an Alabama receiver, recording 11 receptions while setting the school’s single-game marks with 274 yards and five touchdowns through the air during the Crimson Tide's 59-31 victory over Ole Miss.

“That’s been a goal the whole time, just to get my name established just not as someone who caught the game-winning catch,” Smith said. “Just get myself more out there.”

Smith’s 274 receiving yards broke the previous record of 224 set twice by Amari Cooper in 2014. His five receiving touchdowns also set the SEC record and are two more than Alabama’s previous single-game mark.

The speedy receiver didn’t waste much time getting on the board Saturday, catching a slant from Tagovailoa on the fourth play from scrimmage before breaking free for a 74-yard score. Tagovailoa then found him three more times in the second quarter from 25 yards, 23 yard and 33 yards out respectively as Smith went into the half with eight receptions for 221 yards and four touchdowns.

“I think all are guys are in the zone,” Tagovailoa said. “It just so happened that he was in the zone for about five times. He made plays when plays needed to be made. I think he did a great job today.

“It’s what the defense gave us. I didn’t realize until probably after the third touchdown throw that DeVonta scored three of them already. He was the person who was open pretty much all the time, so I just got him the ball.”

Smith's final touchdown came on a 27-yard touchdown from Tagovailoa in the third quarter. The receiver claims he wasn’t aware of reaching the milestones during the game. In fact, he shook off most of his post-game praise, stating his big day was just a product of Alabama’s high-powered offense.

“I wouldn’t call it in the zone," Smith said. "I’d just call it coaches calling plays, and I happened to be in the right spot at the right time.

“Coach must have seen something that he liked. He seen what he liked, and we did what he needed us to do. We executed.”

While Smith was slow to sing his own praises, his teammates weren’t so modest.

“We were just congratulating him,” receiver Jaylen Waddle said. “Hopefully he has another 10 games like that. It’s great to witness, honestly. He was just outstanding today.”

Waddle wasn’t the only Alabama player who enjoyed the record day. Following the game, outside linebacker Terrell Lewis called Smith “Hollywood” in reference to his star performance.

“I heard,” Smith said with a smile. “That’s just them having their jokes. I mean, no matter who it was, I think they’d say to to anybody, no matter if it was Jerry (Jeudy), (Henry) Ruggs or Waddle. They would have said the same thing to them. So that’s just the team having their jokes and everybody being happy for me.”

Smith’s record day saw him become Alabama’s leading receiver on the season. Through five games, the junior has recorded 31 receptions for 537 yards and eight touchdowns.

“Just going out here taking it day-by-day, step-by step,” Smith said. “Going to practice, just working like I’ve been doing and everything is coming out just planned for me. Really just going out there and doing what the coaches want me to. Things happen.”

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