Photo via mlive.com

With 2:24 remaining in the third quarter, and a comfortable 28-3 lead over Bowling Green, Michigan State’s defense ran back onto the field.

Facing a second-and-10 from their own 32-yard line, Bowling Green quarterback James Morgan dropped back to pass and threw a ball in the direction of Michigan State cornerback Tyson Smith.

Smith jumped the route, stepping in front of receiver Teo Redding and hauled in the interception.

“I blinked, the ball was in my hands, and I was running,” Smith said. “I was kind of in shock.”

Smith looked up and saw the end zone in sight. But his journey there started long before he stepped foot in Spartan Stadium earlier that morning.

Just two days following Michigan State’s final game last season, Smith began to experience severe headaches and underwent an MRI, Smith told Michigan Live. Doctors told him he had suffered a stroke, while also giving him about a 30 percent chance of playing football again.

But football was the least of his problems at that time. Smith struggled with basic tasks, like remembering where he placed his wallet or phone. Being able to retain information in the classroom was almost impossible. His whole world changed.

“I kind of shied away from everyone,” Smith told the Detroit Free Press. “I was mad at the world. Scared at the same time. I really didn’t want to come around people.”

During a time in which his energy and memory began to weaken, it was the strength and encouraging words from his mother, Kim, who had an aneurysm a few years back, that kept his spirits up. Smith said that every morning she would send a text that read: “God’s got a plan for you. You’ll be fine, whether you’re not playing football or playing football.”

Smith made the decision to get away from the game for a while. He became more actively engaged on his campus, joining a wide variety of clubs and campus organizations. It was during this time that Smith came to realize that there was life outside of the football field.

During his recovery, both physically and mentally, Smith began to believe that he would, in fact, play football again. And after he and his mother received a second opinion at Harvard University, he was cleared to return to play at Michigan State.

“I was so excited,” Smith said. “Just to run around. I know there was a lot of questions in the air – can he still do this; will he still be able to do this? So, running around, it felt beyond relief.”

Smith knew he could do more than just prove he can still do this, but that he can do it at a high level and help contribute to the Michigan State team.

Fast forward to Sept. 2, and for the first time in nine months, Smith was in uniform, ready to run out of the tunnel once again in front of 48,000 fans.

“That feeling when I stepped on the field was more than football,” Smith said. “It was a blessing that I was still me. I felt normal. I didn’t know for sure if I was normal.”

Smith knew he was not going to start or play a lot, if at all. But when they called his name, he took advantage.

After securing the pick, and with his eyes on the end zone, Smith began to return it the other way. It was a long road back, but it was all worth it when he brought the Michigan State fans to their feet.

Smith returned his first career interception for his first career touchdown at Michigan State.

After the play concluded, emotions were flying high. Smith was greeted on the sidelines by linebacker and captain Chris Frey, who proceeded to slap a sticker on Smith’s helmet for the play.

“You know he went through a really tough time,” Frey said. “And he stuck with it. He loves the game, just like every one of us does, and he did his best to get back out there on the field and he made a huge play.”

It was one of many huge plays for Michigan State, which defeated Bowling Green 35-10. But Smith’s pick-six was certainly the most memorable.

It was one of college football’s best moments this opening weekend, and Smith says he wants to keep making progress and keep making plays to help contribute to the team.

When asked about where Saturday ranked among his career highlights, there was no hesitation.

“It’s at No. 1,” he said. “It’s No. 1 for sure.”