Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Delivers Dominant Performance Against Illinois

In the SB Nation college football preview, Jeremiah Smith, a wide receiver from Ohio State, was highlighted as one of the 26 pivotal figures in the sport. The consensus was that he was poised for sheer dominance at the collegiate level.

And that’s precisely what he showcased on Saturday against Illinois.

Smith had an explosive first half, catching eight passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns. This performance not only set a new Ohio State record but also marked him as the first player in the program’s history to surpass 3,000 receiving yards. By the end of the game—a 42-19 home victory for the Buckeyes—he had totaled 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns, which now stands as a personal best.

He kicked off the scoring for the Buckeyes early, making a remarkable adjustment on a back-shoulder throw from quarterback Julian Sayin.

Another angle showcases his impressive adjustment here.

Wow. But Smith’s second touchdown was a standout moment that could haunt defensive backs—not just in the Big Ten, but throughout college football. Positioned on the right, he effortlessly glided past the safety on a deep route before leaving him behind in his dust as he cruised to the end zone.

Seriously, just move on to the next play. Pretend this didn’t happen.

Alright, sharing another clip might not let that defender forget Smith’s brilliance, but take a look at that route and touchdown from field level.

He capped off an incredible first half with yet another touchdown, displaying exceptional ball-handling skills.

If you watch this replay, it’s impressive to see how Smith managed to get his left foot down in bounds just before the right foot grazed the white line.

The body control he exhibited during this play is bound to excite NFL scouts. Here’s another look from field level of Smith getting that foot down.

But, honestly, those scouts were likely already excited about Smith’s performance before that third touchdown, a play that left commentator Joel Klatt almost at a loss for words.

Smith continued right where he left off as the second half kicked in, reeling in a slant pass and turning it into a 16-yard gain, inching him closer to 200 receiving yards on the day. Still, the Illinois sideline finally found a way to limit his impact during the third quarter.

The plan was clear: keep him off the field.

Ohio State managed a mere five plays in that quarter, as Illinois maintained possession for nearly the full time, turning Smith, Sayin, and the rest of the Buckeyes offense into spectators with pretty good views from the sideline.

Eventually, Illinois turned the ball over on downs, and Smith’s journey toward 200 yards continued. He caught a short pass on a smoke screen from Sayin, effortlessly turning it into a 13-yard gain, bringing his total to 179 yards.

He finally reached the 200-yard mark with his fourth touchdown of the afternoon:

Another fantastic route from Smith! He faked the defensive back with a move to the inside before planting his left foot and cutting outside, getting himself open. Watch this replay angle that highlights his route—just a reminder, he’s 6’4” and 222 pounds according to Ohio State’s roster.

That’s some elite route-running and movement.

With that catch, Smith became only the fifth player in Ohio State history to score four receiving touchdowns in a single game, joining notable names like Noah Brown and Terry Glenn.

Illinois fought back, with a touchdown pass from Katin Houser to Ty Robinson reducing Ohio State’s lead to 35-19 with under seven minutes left. The subsequent onside kick failed to travel the necessary ten yards, allowing the Buckeyes to reclaim possession with 6:02 to go, ready to seal the victory.

Nevertheless, Smith added to his impressive totals by catching an out route from Sayin for another 12 yards, earning a new set of downs for Ohio State.

Ja’Kobi Jackson then wrapped up that drive with a short touchdown run, and with the extra point, the Buckeyes pushed their lead to 42-19, which stood as the final score in Columbus.

But the spotlight was truly on Smith, who was the first to carry the Illibuck Trophy to midfield.

“He just played a great game,” said head coach Ryan Day, speaking about Smith. “It goes back to his work ethic and how he practices every day. A lot of the guys here look up to him; he sets a fantastic example not just for the younger players in our program, but for a whole generation of kids watching [Smith].”