AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University football running back Austin Smith (Broadview Heights/North Royalton) has been selected as the Ohio Athletic Conference Football Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

Smith earned the conference's first offensive player of the week award in 2016 for his efforts in BW's 42-0 season opening victory against Defiance College last Thursday night.  He carried the ball 24 times for 91 yards a career-high three touchdowns.  Smith also was selected as the Lee Tressel Shrine Classic BW Player of the Game. 

In addition, he serves as the team's punter and he had three punts for 110 yards with a long of 49 yards and two punts inside the 20.

For his career, Smith has rushed for 580 yards on 119 carries with seven touchdowns.  He has caught 14 passes for 92 yards with one touchdown.   Smith is averaging 34.3 yards per punt in his career with a long of 55 yards.  He has had 14 punts inside the 20 and has not had a punt blocked to date.

BW is idle this week but returns to action on Saturday, September 17 when it travels to University Heights for its OAC opener against cross-town rival John Carroll University on Wasmer Field inside Don Shula Stadium.  Kickoff in the 28th Annual Battle for the Gold Bowl Trophy is at 7 p.m. 

The next home game is on Saturday, September 24 when the Yellow Jackets host defending NCAA Division III National Champion University of Mount Union on the Tressel Field inside the George Finnie Stadium at 6:30 p.m.   The game is also Family and Community Night along with Professor Appreciation Night.