Athletic Report
December 7,2000

NELSON SMITH SELECTED FOR CACTUS BOWL ALL-STAR GAME
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University senior defensive tackle Nelson Smith (6’5”, 275 lbs., Albuquerque, NM/U. of Miami) has been selected to play for the West squad in the 2001 Cactus Bowl All-Star Game. The Cactus Bowl, previously known as the Snow Bowl, is in its eighth season. The game will be played on Friday, Jan. 12, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. (CST) at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas. The event showcases top NCAA Division II talent, and typically attracts over 50 pro scouts. About 40 players from previous All-Star games have made National Football League teams.

Smith is one of 13 players from Lone Star Conference teams who will play for the West squad. Overall, 41 players were selected to play for former Texas Tech offensive coordinator Rick Dykes, who will be the West’s head coach. The assistant coaching staff for the West will include three former LSC coaches, including Don Carthel, ENMU’s head coach from 1985 through 1991.

Smith, who played one season and redshirted one season at the University of Miami (Fla.) to start his collegiate career, recorded 22 total tackles for the Greyhounds this fall. He earned 7 tackles for losses and registered 2.5 sacks during the season. He finished his ENMU career with 101 total tackles, including 27 tackles for losses and 6.5 quarterback sacks. He was named Second Team All-LSC South in 1998 and 1999, and was an Honorable Mention selection in 2000.

ENMU finished the 2000 season with an 6-4 overall record. The Greyhounds earned their second consecutive LSC South Division Co-Championship at 4-2, and tied for second place in the overall 13-team LSC standings (5-3 including crossover games). Head Coach Harold “Bud” Elliott was named LSC South Coach-of-the-Year for the third season in a row.

The Cactus Bowl will be televised live on FOXSports Southwest. It will also be covered, but not televised live, by FOXSports Network.