Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Hits Major Milestone on Birthday with Controversial Touchdown

Jeremiah Smith marked his 20th birthday on Saturday by scoring a pivotal touchdown in Ohio State’s 27-9 victory over Michigan, though not without some debate surrounding the play.

Smith’s 35-yard touchdown followed by a successful PAT put Ohio State ahead 10-3, but there were questions about whether the ball crossed the goal line cleanly.

It was unclear if Smith had lost possession before passing the pylon, yet it was evident he didn’t regain control until the ball was out of bounds.

While Ohio State officials reviewed the situation, they ultimately upheld the touchdown despite the online backlash.

Even with the controversy, the touchdown might not have influenced the overall game too much, given that Michigan hadn’t scored at all during the match. Nonetheless, it was a turning point for the Buckeyes.

After Smith’s touchdown, Michigan could only respond with a field goal. Ohio State continued its momentum, ending the first half with an eight-point lead after Brandon Innis caught another touchdown. As if on cue, snow began to fall, perhaps favoring the Buckeyes further.

In the second half, both teams exchanged punts initially, but Michigan struggled offensively, gaining only 11 yards. This set Ohio State up for a strong drive, leading to Colonel Tate scoring a quick 50-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 24-9.

It’s worth noting that Ohio State hadn’t defeated Michigan since 2019, and last year’s game, which ended with a shocking upset for the Buckeyes, still lingered in their minds. That defeat had culminated in a dramatic scene when Michigan players planted a flag at midfield in Columbus. Imagine carrying that frustration for nearly a year.

Next week, Ohio State and Indiana, both undefeated and top-ranked, are set to clash in the Big Ten Championship.