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COLUMBUS (AP) -- If Jeremiah Smith gets invited to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist in December, the Ohio State wide receiver can point to Saturday’s performance against Illinois as a big reason why.
Smith became the first receiver in the Buckeyes’ storied history to have double-digit receptions for at least 200 yards and score four touchdowns.
The junior finished with 12 catches for 217 yards, and his four TDs tied a school record as No. 7 Ohio State opened Big Ten Conference play with a 42-19 victory over Illinois.
“I think when you looked at him the first couple years, it was hard to say, ‘OK, how can he get better?’ But you’re seeing it,” coach Ryan Day said. “He did it in a variety of ways today. He makes a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone, wins on a fade, a home run post, and then a double move.”
The biggest improvement in Smith’s game has been yards after the catch. He had 53 on Saturday, including 27 on his 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter that extended the Buckeyes’ lead to 14-0.
“I feel like I got better this year on the little things I need to do here and there. My route-running has improved a lot from my freshman year to now,” he said.
Smith has 33 catches for 617 yards and seven touchdowns, putting him among the national leaders. It’s a strong start for someone who played only the first half of two of the Buckeyes’ first four games.
Smith said during Big Ten media day that he might have to match the season Alabama’s DeVonta Smith had in 2020, when he was the last receiver to win the Heisman. The Crimson Tide standout had 38 catches for 483 yards and four TDs in his first four games that season.
After setting Ohio State’s career receiving yardage record last week, he became the first Buckeye to reach 3,000 receiving yards on Saturday. He needs 10 catches to break Emeka Egbuka’s mark of 205 and two touchdowns to surpass Chris Olave’s 35.
“I’m always watching all the top receivers in the country when they’re playing,' he said. "Illinois had a receiver (Collin Dixon) who had seven touchdowns coming into this week. I mean, he’s a great receiver. KJ Duff, another one at Rutgers, is having a great year. (Charlie) Becker at Indiana, Malachi (Toney at Miami), all of them guys. I love watching other players ball out.”