"Although Smith's go-ahead home run in 11th inning proved to be the difference for the Dodgers, he also was part of a play at home plate during the bottom of the ninth. With the bases loaded and one out, Miguel Rojas fielded a chopper at second base and threw home just in time to prevent the Blue Jays from earning a walk-off win. Rojas' throw required Smith to reach across his body to make the catch on the first-base side."
"It's everything. It's being in position. We were talking about it the week before with Jayden, when he forced the fumble, it's being in position to make those plays even though you don't know when they're going to show up. Whether it's that, whether it's Jahkeem play, whether it's Kennedy Urlacher knocking the receiver out, and his foot is out by a couple inches."
Will Smith hit the go-ahead home run in the 11th inning of Game 7 to provide the decisive difference for the Dodgers in their comeback against the Blue Jays. Earlier in the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded and one out, Miguel Rojas fielded a chopper and threw home to prevent a walk-off. Smith reached across his body to make the catch on the first-base side and briefly lifted his right foot before getting it down a split-second ahead of Isiah Kiner-Falefa's slide. USC head coach Lincoln Riley showed that play to his football team as a visual lesson about being in position and making plays, connecting it to Jayden Maiva's forced fumble and other close-margin efforts like Kennedy Urlacher's knock.
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