Jeremiah Smith keeps forcing Ohio State to update the record book.
The Buckeyes wideout broke two of the program’s biggest receiving marks Saturday in a 31-14 win over No. 14 Iowa at Kinnick Stadium, then added a little flourish with a brief Heisman Trophy pose after his second touchdown. By the time the night was over, Smith had passed Chris Olave for career touchdown receptions and moved beyond Emeka Egbuka for career catches, all while piling up another huge stat line in a performance that looked every bit like a star taking over the sport.
Smith finished with 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns. His 36th career TD reception came with 6:11 left in the third quarter, and his 206th career catch gave him the all-time Ohio State lead. He also pushed his Buckeyes career receiving yards total to 3,381.
“Bring this team a national championship,” Smith said when asked what else is left to do. “And that’s all I’ve been chasing since the season started. That’s a goal of mine before I leave here, and I’m very committed to that.”
The latest explosion followed an even bigger day last week against Illinois, when Smith caught 12 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the production is only part of what makes Smith stand out.
“Drawing plays up for him is a lot of fun, but the most amazing thing about Jeremiah Smith is his work ethic every day,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “How much he loves to win.
How competitive he is, the way he works every day. Not only is he a great player, he’s become a great leader.
There’s a whole generation of young people watching him.
“The performances he’s put up the last couple of weeks, they’re contagious. The guys feed off it. And this is the best player in the country right here.”
Smith is now chasing another line of history: becoming the first wide receiver to win college football’s most prestigious award since DeVonta Smith of Alabama in 2020.
“That’s definitely on my mind,” Smith said of the Heisman. “I’ve got to get to New York this year.”
Ohio State also got a strong day from quarterback Julian Sayin, who completed 20 of 27 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Sayin, a Heisman finalist last year, continued to build his own case for a place in that conversation.
The Buckeyes took a 17-6 lead with 12 seconds left before halftime when Smith hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass, then finished the scoring with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Ja’Kobi Jackson in the fourth quarter.
“I thought the way we finished the fourth quarter was what we were looking for,” Day said. “Across the board, there were a lot of good things. I thought the defense really created some turnovers, and that was really big in terms of a short field.
“We played physical, and I felt like we controlled the game in the fourth quarter. Build some confidence, build some momentum as we head to the middle of the season.”
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