PEMBROKE — He is the team's best interviewee, but isn't one to boast. He puts in the most time at practice of any player, but says he needs to vastly improve. He's The University of North Carolina at Pembroke's most prolific passer in school history, but wasn't satisfied with his numbers in 2008 or last season's 9-1 finish.

Now, Cory Smith has the Braves ranked for the first time in school history at No. 25 in the American Football Coaches Association poll and leads one of Division II's most efficient spread offenses, one that’s averaging 32.8 points and 443 yards per game.

"We have all confidence in the world in Cory and feel good about what he does as our quarterback," head coach Pete Shinnick said. “He’s knows the system and has bought into what we’re trying to do here. We tell all of our players to believe in the system.”

Since a 31-28 loss to Edward Waters on Oct. 27, 2007, Smith is 14-1 as UNCP's starting quarterback and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 3:1.

Saturday against Webber International, Smith completed his first eight passes to four different receivers, helping UNCP jump out to a 14-0 lead after two possessions. Smith was at his best under pressure, notching first downs through the air on 5-of-6 third down attempts while recording 11 completions of 10 yards or more.

"I was very impressed with Cory to start as hot as he did," UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick said. "Three of his incompletion were throwaways and we had a couple drops. He did a fantastic job controlling the offense the way he did."

Smith said his receivers ran crisp routes, and settled for short gains at the first down markers against a soft defense.

“We knew there were holes to be exploited,” Smith said. “Our receivers had a great awareness. Sometimes when you need eight yards, it’s ok to pick up nine at the marker.”

In 2007, Smith couldn't have made those pinpoint passes. His passes from the spread would have sailed out of bounds or skipped short at the feet of his receivers. Senior wideout L.J. Johnson, who leads the team with four touchdown receptions, says Smith always throws his passes with touch.

“I just tell him to let me go get it,” Johnson said, after a three touchdown game earlier this season. “He throws the ball where I can get it and that’s it. He always puts the ball right there.”

When the Indian Trail native came to campus two years ago, he had his work cut out for him to start in front of scheduled triggerman, Matt Evans. Evans, UNCP's first recruit and a heralded drop back passer from Ventura County , Calif. , started the Braves’ first four games in their inaugural campaign but has seen limited action since.

In his first collegiate start against Chowan, Smith completed 16-of-25 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Smith says his success can be contributed to the athletic ability of other playmakers on offense.

"I have great teammates and talent around me," Smith said. "I can throw a 5-yard pass and I know our guys can make a play downfield."

Smith is on the verge of a personal milestone Saturday at Fairmont State . If he can hit 175 yards passing, he will surpass the 3,500-yard plateau for his career.