Jeremiah Smith added another line to a record book he’s been rewriting all season, and this one had some real staying power.
On Saturday against Northwestern, the Ohio State star wide receiver passed Purdue’s John Standeford to become the Big Ten’s all-time leader in receiving yards. The milestone came on a 22-yard catch in the first quarter, when freshman quarterback Luke Fahey hit Smith over the middle and let him run free for the gain.
Standeford’s mark had stood since 2003, when he finished with 3,788 career yards. For 23 years, plenty of Big Ten receivers chased it. None got there until Smith, who entered the day needing to close the gap and then pushed past the number in the opening quarter.
That record now joins a growing list of numbers attached to Smith across the NCAA, Ohio State and the Big Ten. He still has at least two more games to add to it.
NCAA -- Freshman receiving yards (1,315)
NCAA -- Freshman receiving touchdowns (15)
Big Ten -- Career receptions (232)
Big Ten -- Career receiving touchdowns (41)
Big Ten -- Career receiving yards (3,798)
Ohio State -- Most 100-yard games (16)
Ohio State -- Single-game receiving touchdowns (4)
There’s still a bigger prize in play, too. With Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney injured, Smith has a clear path to make a serious run at college football’s top individual honor. If he keeps piling up numbers over the final three weeks, he could find himself in New York.
Right now, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Smith as the favorite at +150. Darian Mensah (+340) and C.J. Carr (+370) are the only other players anywhere near him.
Even if the award doesn’t come his way, Smith’s place in college football is already secure. With Julian Sayin sidelined, the path to the trophy got a little trickier, but the legacy is already there. He’s left the standard so high that anyone trying to chase him down in the future will have a long way to go.
In Other News...
Desmond Howard Took Another Shot At Jeremiah Smith And Buckeyes Fans Wont Like It
Desmond Howard stirred the pot again on First Take, taking aim at Jeremiah Smith and suggesting the Ohio State receiver has not delivered decisive moments in big games over the past two years. It is the kind of criticism that lands loudly in Columbus, especially with Smith already carrying the kind of national profile that makes every comment about him feel bigger than it should.
The pushback is easy to find in Ohio States own recent games, from Smiths game-winning touchdown against Indiana to a strong showing against Iowa that featured key receptions and scores. Even with the Buckeyes College Football Playoff path still uncertain, Smith remains one of the sports top Heisman Trophy candidates, which is exactly why any fresh swipe at his big-game rsum is going to get noticed. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Faces A Bigger Problem Than Just Beating Northwestern
Ohio State heads into its game against Northwestern with more than just a must-win result hanging over the week. Ranked No. 20 in the College Football Playoff standings, the Buckeyes need to keep stacking victories to stay in the conversation, but the larger issue has been how uneven they have looked on both sides of the ball. A few players have stood out, yet the overall performance has not matched the standard Ohio State usually brings into November.
The path forward is complicated by more than just its own inconsistency. The Buckeyes are also watching results elsewhere, with teams such as UCLA, Indiana, USC, Oregon and Iowa all shaping the postseason picture around them. Even if Ohio State handles Northwestern, the bigger question is whether this group can sharpen enough to hold its place in a crowded Big Ten race and keep its playoff hopes alive. [Read more 🡒]
Northwestern Coach Sounds Off After Ohio State Call Changed The Game
David Braun had plenty to say after Northwesterns 28-19 loss to Ohio State, and much of it started with respect for the Buckeyes. The Wildcats coach praised Ohio States performance and pointed to the programs recent success as the kind of standard his team is trying to chase, even while the result left Northwestern still searching for a breakthrough in Big Ten play.
Braun also made clear he disagreed with the replay ruling that helped swing momentum toward an Ohio State touchdown, a moment that only added to Northwesterns frustration. Beyond the officiating, he said the Wildcats have to clean up their penalties, and he offered a cautious update on injured quarterback Aidan Chiles, saying the recovery remains a week-to-week process. [Read more 🡒]