Oklahoma State University Athletics
Smith Named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
November 25, 2024 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State quarterback Maealiuaki Smith is the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week following his performance against Texas Tech, announced Monday by the Big 12.
A true freshman out of Sacramento, California, Smith made his first career start for the Cowboys on Saturday and finished 26-for-35 for 316 passing yards and two touchdowns, also adding a 13-rushing rushing touchdown.
His passing total is the second-most in a first career start in OSU history and the sixth-most by a freshman in a game in school history. The only Cowboy to throw for more in his starting debut was true freshman Aso Pogi when he passed for 328 yards against Iowa State in 2000.
It marked the first time a true freshman has started at quarterback for Oklahoma State since Garret Rangel started at Kansas on November 5, 2022, and the most passing yards for an OSU freshman in any game since 2012.
The honor marks the first career Big 12 weekly award for Smith, as well as the fourth Big 12 weekly honor for a Cowboy this season.
He is OSU's first offensive true freshman to be named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week since Dominic Richardson was honored after a 169-yard rushing day at Baylor in 2020.
Oklahoma State closes the 2024 season Friday, playing at No. 23 Colorado with kickoff scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on ABC.
2024 Oklahoma State Big 12 Players of the Week
Trey Rucker – Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. South Dakota State
Nick Martin – Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. Arkansas
Obi Ezeigbo – Big 12 Newcomer of the Week vs. Arkansas
Maealiuaki Smith – Big 12 Newcomer of the Week vs. Texas Tech
A true freshman out of Sacramento, California, Smith made his first career start for the Cowboys on Saturday and finished 26-for-35 for 316 passing yards and two touchdowns, also adding a 13-rushing rushing touchdown.
His passing total is the second-most in a first career start in OSU history and the sixth-most by a freshman in a game in school history. The only Cowboy to throw for more in his starting debut was true freshman Aso Pogi when he passed for 328 yards against Iowa State in 2000.
It marked the first time a true freshman has started at quarterback for Oklahoma State since Garret Rangel started at Kansas on November 5, 2022, and the most passing yards for an OSU freshman in any game since 2012.
The honor marks the first career Big 12 weekly award for Smith, as well as the fourth Big 12 weekly honor for a Cowboy this season.
He is OSU's first offensive true freshman to be named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week since Dominic Richardson was honored after a 169-yard rushing day at Baylor in 2020.
Oklahoma State closes the 2024 season Friday, playing at No. 23 Colorado with kickoff scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on ABC.
2024 Oklahoma State Big 12 Players of the Week
Trey Rucker – Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. South Dakota State
Nick Martin – Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. Arkansas
Obi Ezeigbo – Big 12 Newcomer of the Week vs. Arkansas
Maealiuaki Smith – Big 12 Newcomer of the Week vs. Texas Tech
Players Mentioned
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