CLEMSON – When young basketball players are taught to rebound, the steps are simple: face the goal, box out your opponents, jump as high as you can, and secure the ball.

In Clemson’s 35-24 loss to SMU at Memorial Stadium Saturday, wide receiver Tristan Smith completed each of these principles to secure his first collegiate touchdown.

Smith, in his first year as a Tiger after transferring from Southeast Missouri State, has been known to use his athleticism, and his basketball-player-like 6-foot-5 frame, to come up with contested catches this season.

In a year where offensive bursts are rarely easy for the Tigers, (3-4, 2-3 ACC) Smith has been a personal generator for energy and crowd noise.

Against Syracuse on Sep. 21, the LaGrange, Ga., native reeled in a long pass from quarterback Cade Klubnik, and cuted in a “V” shape past two defenders for extra yards after the catch. As he hit his helmet in celebration, surrounded by his new teammates, there was no denying it: Tough catches mean something to Tristan Smith. Clemson means something to Tristan Smith.

Two weeks later, the senior grabbed another early 19-yard reception against North Carolina to let Clemson fans breathe a little easier. Again, his passion sparked the offense to extend a drive.

All of the transfer’s passion and toughness paid off in a tangible way against the Mustangs, when the Tigers were down 29-17 with only a few minutes to play.

Quarterback Christopher Vizzina slung the ball to the end zone, 23-yards away, and like he was grabbing a game-sealing rebound, Smith went up, locked eyes with the ball, made the catch while elevated several feet off the ground, and ripped it from defenders as he went down.

Touchdown Tristan Smith. Touchdown Christopher Vizzina.

Vizzina, who finished with three touchdowns and 317 yards in his first collegiate start, often connects with Smith in practice, commonly as members of the “second-unit.”

For Smith, Vizzina’s performance, and late touchdown pass, were not surprising. 

“The pass to me, the pass to T.J. (Moore,) (Vizzina)  just looked really comfortable,” Smith said. “He looked like the CV that I see every day at practice, practicing with that “go” mindset.”

That connection cut the Mustangs’ lead to one possession and gave the Tigers an opportunity to get the ball again.

While the defense was unable to get a stop and put the game in the hands of Vizzina and wide receivers like Smith and Moore, who finished with two touchdown catches, plays like Smith’s rebounding catch gave the Tigers a chance.

And, it also showed that the “heart” is not missing from this Tigers team. The heart-factor is certainly not missing in Tristan Smith.