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Traffic mishap gives Marshall's Smith new perspective

HUNTINGTON — With all those wrestling-type belts Jason Smith lugged out of Joan C. Edwards Stadium, he looked like he had won some type of unification bout.

But here’s the real story: He’s happy to be alive, and he’s playing like it.

Smith, a 6-foot-3, 291-pound sophomore defensive tackle from Paterson, New Jersey, led a strong defensive effort Saturday in Marshall’s controlled scrimmage. He had four tackles, three for loss, with two sacks.

Five days earlier, he came close to losing his life in a rollover accident on Interstate 79 in Harrison County.

“I’m just blessed to be here,” he said.