Carnell Tate Delivers When It Matters Most as Ohio State Snaps Skid Against Michigan
For the first time in five years, Ohio State walked off the field victorious against Michigan - and they didn’t just win, they made a statement. At the heart of that statement? Carnell Tate, the sophomore wide receiver who reminded everyone just how dangerous this Buckeyes offense can be when it’s firing on all cylinders.
Tate, returning from injury after missing three straight games, stepped into the spotlight and didn’t flinch. He hauled in five catches for 82 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown that wasn’t just a highlight - it was a turning point. That third-quarter strike from quarterback Julian Sayin put Ohio State up 24-9, and from there, the Wolverines never found their footing.
Former Buckeye linebacker Bobby Carpenter summed it up perfectly on The Bobby Carpenter Show: “He went out there and put on a show, the 50-yard clincher, and he hit the pose in the endzone; it was iconic.”
And it was. That touchdown didn’t just stretch the lead - it shifted the energy.
Before Tate’s score, Michigan was still hanging around at 17-9. One mistake, one momentum swing, and things could’ve gotten tight in a hurry.
But Tate’s deep ball touchdown slammed that door shut.
What makes his performance even more impressive is the context. Just a week ago, it wasn’t clear whether Tate would even suit up.
He’d been sidelined with an injury, and there were real concerns about his availability. But not only did he play - he looked sharp, explosive, and composed in a rivalry game that demands all of the above.
He wasn’t alone, either. Fellow wideout Jeremiah Smith, who also missed the previous game due to injury, made his presence felt as well. Smith added three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown of his own, giving the Buckeyes another reliable target and a much-needed offensive boost.
Head coach Ryan Day didn’t hold back in praising his young receivers after the game.
“If you really knew how much work they put into getting on the field and how gutsy they are - I’m sure the fans and everybody would appreciate what they did in going out there and putting it on the line,” Day said.
That kind of grit is exactly what Ohio State needed in this one. Rivalry games are emotional.
"He went out there and put on a show, the 50-yard clincher, and he hit the pose in the endzone; it was iconic."
— Bobby Carpenter Show (@BobbyCarpShow) December 1, 2025
-@Bcarp3 on Carnell Tate's performance against Michigan and his toughness
Presented by @drinkgaragebeer https://t.co/1ZudHR5iyz pic.twitter.com/MJVRYGZx98
They’re physical. And when the pressure ratchets up, it’s often the players who’ve been through adversity that rise to the occasion.
Tate and Smith did just that.
Ryan Day on Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate playing in The Game: “If you really knew how much work they put in to get on the field and how gutsy they are — I’m sure the fans and everybody would appreciate what they did in going out there and putting it on the line.”
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) November 29, 2025
Now, with the Michigan monkey finally off their back, the Buckeyes turn their attention to the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana. But the bigger picture looms - a potential College Football Playoff run that could define this team’s legacy.
For Ohio State to keep that dream alive, they’ll need Tate and Smith not just available, but at full strength. Saturday was a glimpse of what this offense can be when both are on the field. If they can stay healthy, the Buckeyes have the weapons - and the momentum - to make a serious postseason push.
But first, one more hurdle in Indianapolis.