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Ames, Iowa • Shaky Smithson came to Iowa State with the reputation of being one of the nation's most dangerous punt returners.
He left with the rep of being the Utes' magic man as the senior had his hand in several of Utah's biggest plays Saturday as Utah pounded Iowa State 68-27.
Smithson had two catches for 75 yards, threw a touchdown pass and had five punt returns for 145 yards.
Smithson set up Utah's first touchdown, a two-yard run by Eddie Wide, with a spectacular 78-yard punt return in which he zigged and zagged his way over the field. He ran out of gas just as it seemed he might score his third touchdown off a punt return this season.
Smithson's punt return ties for the sixth longest in Utah history. He entered the game averaging 21.4 yards on punt returns.
"He is a dynamic football player with a lot of confidence," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He has a special ability in the punt return game to make guys miss."
Smithson also threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to DeVonte Christopher on a reverse play, making it 17-14 early in the second quarter.
Then with 1:34 to play before the half, Smithson caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Wynn, putting the Utes up 38-14.
Smithson shrugged off his effort.
"I was trying to do anything to help the team," he said. "I wanted to make some big plays and get some momentum for the team. It was a testament more for the coaches for the bye week and preparing us to be successful."
Smithson started the year as a nominee for the Paul Hornung award, which goes to the nation's most versatile player in college football, based off his performances in 2009 when he played at running back, receiver and returned kicks and punts.
However, Saturday's performance was arguably his best yet as a jack-of-all-trades.
His punt return in which he befuddled the Iowa State defenders with stalls, direction cuts and fakes was a thing of beauty in itself.
Too bad the Utes didn't use him on a few defensive plays, too. The way he was playing he probably would have added a few tackles and interceptions to his stat line as well.
Smithson said he was motivated by the Utes' mistakes in the opening quarter.
"It's like when you are growing up and you do something bad," he said. "The next day you want to make your parents happy by doing something good. That is what we did today."
Shaky Smithson's big performance
Passing • 1-1, 32 yards., one touchdown
Receiving • Two for 75 yards, one TD
Punt returns • Five for 145
Kickoff returns • Two for 41