Utah State's Smith leads North in All-Star Classic

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Utah State's Michael Smith ran for 124 yards and one touchdown to lead the North to a 24-19 victory over the South in the Players All-Star Classic at War Memorial Stadium.

Smith's 80-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave the North at 17-16 lead.

"I'm just grateful that was I was out here for this," Smith said. "There's not always an opportunity, and I was glad I got mine.

"Coaches kept telling us to stretch (the play) outside a couple more yards the tight end, and if they over play, just cut back and go. That happened, and I just used my speed to get to the end zone."

Smith has 12 carries and returned four kickoffs for 105 yards.

"There's a lot of new plays and a few scouts here to see what we can do," Smith said. "All we want to do is try and move our stock up, no matter if it's the NFL or CFL or anywhere. We'll take the opportunity if we can."

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson led the South on two scoring drive, one he capped with a 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

The North trimmed the margin to 13-10 at halftime on a 17-yard pass from Wisconsin-Whitewater's Matt Blanchard to Buffalo's Marcus Rivers with 31 seconds left in the half.

UNLV's Phillip Payne, who caught five passes for 110 yards, grabbed a 31-yard touchdown pass from Boston College's Dominique Davis.

Norwich University kicker Long Ding's made four field goals for the South.