Ryan Smith Named to College Football Performance Awards FCS Punt Returner Watch List

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--North Dakota State University's Ryan Smith was named to the College Football Performance Awards FCS Punt Returner Watch List released July 9. Smith, who was also named to the wide receiver watch list, was one of two Missouri Valley Football Conference receivers listed.

Smith, a 5-foot-7, 175-pound junior from Wahpeton, N.D. (Wahpeton H.S.), was second on the team with 44 receptions for 531 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 12.1 yards per catch.

Smith ranked 13th nationally in NCAA Division I FCS punt returns, taking in 25 for 261 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 10.48 yards per return.

Smith was honorable mention on the all-Missouri Valley Football Conference team. He also earned player of the week honors and MVFC all-academic second team honors.

North Dakota State won the program’s first NCAA Division I Football Championship with a 17-6 win over Sam Houston State on Jan. 7 and also claimed the program's first Missouri Valley Football Conference title. The Bison were 14-1 overall and 7-1 in MVFC.

The Bison open the 2012 season against Robert Morris at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

2012 CFPA FCS Punt Returner Award Watch List

Ryan Kirchner, Albany

Terrance Lewis, Alcorn State

Tee Howell, Austin Peay

Jordan Brown, Bryant

Charles James, Charleston Southern

Niccolo Mastromatteo, Coastal Carolina

Toms Bernhards-Callahan, Davidson

Tyler Hujik, Dayton

Rob Jones, Delaware

Justin Bell, Eastern Kentucky

Ricky Rhodes, Gardner-Webb

Kevin Macari, Georgetown

Darreion Robinson, Georgia Southern

Albert Wilson, Georgia State

Donovan Harden, Illinois State

D’Andre Randle, Jacksonville

Alan Bonner, Jacksonville State

Darius Carey, McNeese State

Mitchell Pollard, Monmouth

Patrick Robertson, Murray State

Joey Orlando, New Hampshire

Marcus Cooperwood, Norfolk State

Erik Mersereau, North Dakota

Ryan Smith, North Dakota State

Taylor Malenfant, Northern Arizona

Reid Evans, Old Dominion

Robert Shaw, Sam Houston State

Sam Hoekstra, San Diego

Darius Drummond, South Carolina State

Steven Murphy, South Carolina State

Virgil Williams, Southern University

Jordan Aubrey, Stephen F. Austin

Gralyn Crawford, Stephen F. Austin

Weldon Garlington, Tennessee State

Caleb Mitchell, Tennessee Tech

Trent White, VMI