Overview
- Smith caught 12 passes for 217 yards and four receiving touchdowns on Saturday as No. 7 Ohio State beat Illinois 42-19.
- His four TD catches tied an Ohio State single‑game record and he became the first Buckeye to reach 3,000 career receiving yards.
- The performance pushed Smith to the top of Heisman betting lines and intensified talk among scouts that he could be a top pick in the 2027 NFL draft.
- Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 27 of 36 passes for 367 yards and repeatedly targeted Smith, whose route running and contested catches drove the passing attack.
- Despite the offensive outburst, Ohio State’s defense allowed nearly 400 total yards and 199 rushing yards, creating urgent questions the coaching staff must address before facing Iowa.