Ohio State finally broke their 2,191-day drought against Michigan with a decisive 27-9 victory at the Big House on November 29, 2025. The game was packed with memorable moments, but none more talked about than Jeremiah Smith's 35-yard touchdown reception from Julian Sayin.
After crossing into the end zone, Smith turned to the Michigan fans and made a gesture that quickly went viral-flipping them off. This moment, captured on the national broadcast, sparked widespread discussion.
Smith later explained the gesture during an appearance on the I AM ATHLETE podcast. According to him, the Michigan fans positioned near the end zone were heckling him throughout the game.
“All the Michigan fans were right there at the bottom, talking cash,” Smith shared. “So I was like, alright, I’ll score then I got SOMETHING for ’em.”
And score he did, delivering his response in a way that only fueled the rivalry's intensity.
Smith wrapped up the game with three catches for 40 yards, including that controversial touchdown, marking his first career victory over Michigan. However, his actions stood in stark contrast to head coach Ryan Day’s postgame emphasis on winning with humility, a sentiment aimed at maintaining decorum in the heated rivalry.
The timing of Smith's gesture is notable-it occurred during the game, not after the final whistle. This detail is significant, especially given the previous year's rivalry drama. In 2024, Michigan stunned Ohio State at Ohio Stadium and celebrated by planting their flag at midfield, igniting a brawl between the teams.
This year, both programs seemed keen on avoiding similar chaos. After Ohio State's win, some Buckeyes players considered a flag-plant of their own, but Ryan Day and his staff swiftly intervened to prevent it. Meanwhile, Michigan players lingered on the field, protecting their block “M” logo from any potential antics.
In the end, cooler heads prevailed, and the game concluded without further incidents, leaving fans with plenty to discuss until their next encounter.