Overview
- Jeremiah Smith recorded eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the first half of Ohio State’s season opener on Saturday, Sept. 5, delivering a performance that shifted the game narrative.
- The early highlight was a 48-yard touchdown from quarterback Julian Sayin on Ohio State’s second drive that counted as Smith’s first catch and put the Buckeyes up 7–0.
- After his second score, Smith struck the Heisman pose in the end zone and the celebration went viral on social platforms, provoking wide debate and a direct social-media exchange with Miami’s Malachi Toney.
- The display undercuts preseason skepticism from an anonymous coach who suggested certain coverages like Cover-2 could limit Smith, showing live-game evidence of Smith’s contested-catch and field-stretching ability.
- Smith now sits eight receiving touchdowns shy of Ohio State’s all-time mark, a milestone that combined with his early production could increase award attention and force opposing defenses to change their gameplans.