CortlandFootball.com recently had an opportunity to interview former Cortland quarterback Alex Smith. As many Cortland fans know, Alex was an unfortunate victim of 2 season ending injuries in 2006 and 2007. He nearly returned to the field in 2008 after a long rehabilitation. For the first time, we are grateful to talk to Alex directly about his career, and the decisions he faced in 2008.

CortlandFootball.com: Alex, what injury did you sustain in the 2006 West Conn game?

Alex Smith: The 2006 West Conn game I suffered a season ending ACL tear in my right knee.

CortlandFootball.com: Do you remember how it occurred?

Alex Smith: One of the most memorable moments in my career here at Cortland was this injury, so yes I do remember how it occurred. The play was a zone read option, which always gave me a smurk when coach called that play because I loved running the option. To be completely honest, when the play began, I made a wrong read. I should have handed the ball to the back, but I kept and tried making a play. Made about 3 guys miss and had to make one last cut for a touchdown. That cut I made was exactly how the injury happened. I heard something rip in my knee, didn’t think too much of it during the play until I started running for daylight and couldn’t go anymore so I just went down. I was still optimistic after that game because the Dr. at the game said it was probably a torn meniscus, which would only put me out for a couple weeks and I would be back for the 2 big games at the end of that season (Rowan and Ithaca). But the MRI came back and my ACL was a complete tear.

CortlandFootball.com: How did you feel coming into the 2007 Morrisville game? Were you fully healed?

Alex Smith: Coming into the 2007 season I felt real good. I worked hard with our trainers here at Cortland along with trainers in Buffalo at Sports PT, which our running backs coach’s wife runs. (Coach Steenberg) I was grateful of their help and still am to this day. They are a wonderful group of people there always keeping my spirits high, which made me battle through my rehab. The same goes for our trainers here at Cortland. I was fully healed, the Dr. also confirmed after several tests and visits.

CortlandFootball.com: How did the second injury occur against Morrisville?

Alex Smith: The second injury is also another memory here I won't ever forget. This time it was a pass play, and I decided to run again. As I was about to get the first down, I got tackled by a defender from my left side and another defender came from the right with a helmet to my knee, which tore my ACL for the second time.

CortlandFootball.com: You came out for spring camp in 2008 intending to continue your career. At what point did you realize it wasn't a good idea for you to continue?

Alex Smith: I came back for spring 2008 because I missed playing the game. And it was sort of a habit for getting ready for the next season. I was rehabbing all spring with our trainers here at Cortland. The progress of my knee was OK at most, which was frustrating. The injury happened twice to me, and a third time is the last thing I want to go through. I started thinking even with a brace on, it's still possible to get another tear, and I didn’t want to take that risk because of my future.

CortlandFootball.com: Did you address the team when you made your decision? Was there a certain coach or player you talked to about what you were going through?

Alex Smith: I first told Coach Mac that I just couldn’t go anymore. He understood completely and addressed the team from there.

Besides talking to my family about my whole knee situation, I also talked to the trainers here at Cortland about any decision I made, or was about to make. They know these situations and what could happen if I were to play again. They never persuaded me about anything. They listened to me and helped me make my decision, because at the end of the day I’m always the one choosing my path.

CortlandFootball.com: How is your health now? Do you still have day to day pain?

Alex Smith: My knee these days is decent. I’m still rehabbing, but on my own this time. I kind of have an idea on what to do by now! Pain is still around, which is also frustrating, but I can deal with it.

CortlandFootball.com: Are you able to play golf or participate in recreational sports?

Alex Smith: I played a few softball games over this summer. I ran around half way decent, usually used a pinch runner when I got on base. As for golf, I will always find some way to play!

CortlandFootball.com: You had a tremendous career at Cortland State. What are your favorite game memories?

Alex Smith: Playing in my first game as a true freshman against Brockport, even though we lost, is one of my favorite memories here. The quarterback for Brockport at the time was Bob Darnley, who was a graduate of the same high school as me, Niagara Wheatfield. I remember watching him when I was in 8th grade, and then to play against him 4 years later was a pretty cool deal. Also in my freshman year, beating Montclair, who at the time, was ranked 8th nationally. That was just an amazing game. Tying the single game passing record against Kean in 2004 was another game I enjoyed.

One of my favorites, however, was the 2005 Ithaca game. Being a part of the 1st ever overtime game in Cortaca jug history was incredible, and how can I forget the game was on the same day as my birthday, November 12th! Good bday present right there!

CortlandFootball.com: You seemed to be in your element when you were asked to run, or throw on the run. Have you always excelled as a mobile/running quarterback? Did you model your play after any quarterbacks you watched?

Alex Smith: I only played one year in highschool, and I guess you could say I was a mobile quarterback. It was hard to tell because we were mostly a running team. When I got to Cortland, I sort of found out what kind of a player I was. This is due to the offense we ran when I was taking snaps, which was any kind of play you can think of. I always had the ability to see the field pretty well, and when protection broke down I would pick the O line up and try making a play. For the running aspect of my game, I would study film on a quarterback named Casey Printers, who played at TCU when coach Lounsbury was there, and now is playing in the CFL. I loved watching him run the option because of how smooth of a runner he was and the quick decisions he made. As far as being a quarterback in the pocket, I watched a ton of Peyton Manning because I believe he has the best mechanics among any QB in the NFL.

CortlandFootball.com: You really came of age in 2005. By the end of the season it was almost like you put the offense on your shoulders and carried them into the playoffs. What do you attribute to the growth you showed in your sophomore season?

Alex Smith: 2005 was the year we first installed the west coast offense, which was different than the offense we ran in 2004. The west coast offense takes a while for everyone to be on the same page. And that year it took us until the end of the year to click. I was always confident in the players around me. I had a great offensive line and receivers to back me up at all times, along with the coaching. They get the credit for my success. I just did what I was told, and maybe a thing or two extra that helped our team win games and get into the playoffs.

CortlandFootball.com: You played in 2 Cortaca Jugs. What did you know about Cortaca before you came to Cortland? Can you put into words what it is like being out there in front of 10,000+ fans competing at a high level?

Alex Smith: I didn’t know anything about the Jug. I didn’t even know about Cortland Football until my senior year in high school. So it was more of the hype I was hearing my whole freshman year leading up to that game. To me, the game is phenomenal for the program and people, or fans, that want to be a part of it. As a player, you should treat it as just another game and not let the hype get in your head. I will admit that there were times in those 2 games where I took a moment, looked around, and feeling gracious to be a part of a great rivalry like that where there are 10,000 + watching you. I just hope the fans got their moneys worth when they came to watch me.

CortlandFootball.com: What's next for Alex Smith? When do you graduate, and are you interested in coaching?

Alex Smith: I will be graduating in December, getting my undergraduate diploma in Criminology. Looking to be a coach by next fall, getting my masters, and then we’ll see what happens from there. I’ll tell you, I’m really liking this coaching stuff! We have a good group of guys and it makes it fun.

CortlandFootball.com wishes to thank Alex Smith for graciously giving his time for this interview. While we will miss seeing him on the field on Saturdays, he will always be a part of the Cortland Football program and family. Good luck Alex, and keep in touch!