It has been a long time -- 13-plus years -- since Geno Smith played for the Jets. On Friday night at Pittsburgh in the second preseason game for each team, Smith started and deftly led his offense to a TD on the opening drive.

The Jets took the opening kickoff and used 10 plays to cover 69 yards, eating 5:56 of clock time as Smith completed the drive with a pass to TE Jelani Woods. On the play, Smith faked a handoff to RB Braelon Allen, rolled to his left and lofted a perfect pass to the 6-7 Woods who sped into the end zone for the opening score.

On the drive, Smith completed passes to six receivers, including an incongruous catch by LG Dylan Parham, who caught the ball off a deflection along the Steelers' defensive front, losing 2 yards. Smith found WR Adonai Mitchell two times, for 29 yards (14.5 per).

The Jets converted twice on third down with Smith first finding second-year TE Mason Taylor for 10 yards to Pittsburgh's 27-yard line. Three plays later, facing third-and-6 at the 23-yard line, Smith's short pass found WR a sliding Garrett Wilson for 10 more yards to the Pittsburgh 13.

The Jets scored on the next play.

"I want him to feel the starting vibes to go out and play," HC Aaron Glenn told CBS-TV before the game. "I want to see improvement and move the ball."

Smith was held out of last week's preseason opener against Tampa Bay because of a sore ankle.

He gave way to rookie fourth-round draft pick Cade Klubnik on the Jets' second series of the game. In his short work in the game, Smith was perfect, completing 7-of-7 passes for 65 yards, the TD and a 144.9 QB rating.

Smith, who was drafted out of West Virginia in the second round in 2013.

Smith's 30th and most recent start as a Jets QB came Oct. 23, 2016, Week 7, against Baltimore at MetLife Stadium. He played 4 series and 24 plays before having his season come to an end with a torn ACL.

His first game appearance of any kind as a Jets QB was in relief of Mark Sanchez at Detroit on Aug. 9, 2013 in the 2013 preseason opener -- more than 13 years ago.