Jeremiah Smith runs circles around Illinois as Ohio State rolls
In the SB Nation college football preview we identified Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as one of the 26 most important figures in the sport, stating that all that was left for him to accomplish at the collegiate level was pure dominance. That is exactly what he did Saturday against Illinois. The all-everything wide […]
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State's star wide receiver, put on an electrifying performance against Illinois, setting numerous records and showcasing his exceptional skills on the field. During the first half alone, Smith amassed an astounding eight receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns, breaking an Ohio State record and becoming the first player in program history to eclipse 3,000 receiving yards.
By the end of the game, Smith had a career-high 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns, contributing to Ohio State's 42-19 victory over the Illini.
Smith's performance began early, as he showcased his incredible route-running and ball skills on a twisting back-shoulder throw from quarterback Julian Sayin. This touchdown, captured on camera, left defenders in awe and set the tone for Smith's dominant showing. Throughout the first half, Smith's body control and agility were on full display, with defenders unable to keep up with his movements.
As the second half commenced, Smith continued to impress, connecting on a slant route for a 16-yard gain, inching closer to 200 receiving yards. With each catch, the Buckeyes offense grew bolder, and Illinois defenders struggled to contain Smith. In a remarkable display of determination and skill, Smith ultimately became just the fifth Buckeye in school history with four receiving touchdowns in a single game, joining an elite group that includes Noah Brown, Dane Sanzenbacher, Terry Glenn, and Bob Grimes.
Despite Illinois' efforts to slow Smith down in the third quarter, Ohio State's defense devised a game plan to limit his involvement. With the Illini holding the ball for nearly the entire 15-minute stretch, Smith, along with other offensive players, watched from the sidelines. However, the tide turned when Illinois turned the ball over on downs, allowing Smith to continue his march to 200 receiving yards.
On his fourth touchdown of the day, Smith once again demonstrated his elite route-running and footwork, breaking free from a defender and earning the Bucks a crucial margin in the game. With the extra point, Ohio State sealed the victory with a 42-19 score, marking a historic day for Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State football.
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