The Ohio State Buckeyes got their first signature win of the college football season Saturday, knocking off then-No. 14 Iowa 31-14 in Iowa City. Julian Sayin went for an efficient 20 of 27 for 324 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, while the Buckeyes defense held Iowa to just 238 total yards and forced two turnovers. But the star of the show once again was Jeremiah Smith.
The All-American receiver caught 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 18.7 yards per reception. It was another world-class performance from a player quickly climbing the Heisman ladder, and after the game, he made it clear he believes he's the best player in the country. "Just gotta keep the Heisman voters, or whoever it is, know that I'm the best player in the country," Smith told reporters when asked about hitting the Heisman pose after scoring his second touchdown.
More news: Kenny Dillingham Gets Brutally Honest After ASU Gets Blown Out by Baylor Smith nearly matched Iowa's entire yardage total by himself and broke more Ohio State records in the process. He is now the program's all-time leader in receptions (207), touchdowns (36) and receiving yards (3,381). He also tied Marvin Harrison Jr. for the most games with 100-plus receiving yards, at 15.
But for all he has accomplished in three years at Ohio State, Smith is on pace for his best season yet. He leads the country with 823 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 44 catches through five games, averaging 18.7 yards per catch. By comparison, his best season to date came as a freshman, when he had 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns on 76 catches in 16 games, including the Buckeyes' title run, averaging 17.3 yards per catch.
More news: South Carolina Considering Major QB Shakeup Amid LaNorris Sellers’ Struggles More news: Paul Finebaum: Kamario Taylor May Eclipse Dak Prescott’s Mississippi State Legacy The Heisman Trophy typically goes to quarterbacks, with receivers winning the award just five times since 1935. However, two of those wins came recently: DeVonta Smith in 2020 and Travis Hunter in 2024. Jeremiah Smith is quickly making a case to join them.
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