Smith Continues To Break Records As Buckeyes Cruise Past Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Jeremiah Smith didn’t just strengthen his Heisman Trophy case Saturday afternoon.

He struck the pose, then rewrote Ohio State’s record book. Smith caught 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns as No. 5 Ohio State defeated No. 14 Iowa 31-14 at Kinnick Stadium. The junior became the Buckeyes’ career leader in receptions, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards.

When Smith broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown with 6:11 remaining in the third quarter, he turned toward the Iowa crowd and struck the famous Heisman Trophy pose.

“You’ve got to keep the Heisman voters, or whoever it is, knowing that I’m the best player in the country,” Smith said after the game.

Smith’s first touchdown, a 12-yard reception from Julian Sayin with 12 seconds left in the first half, tied Chris Olave’s Ohio State record of 35 career touchdown receptions.

The third-quarter score gave Smith 36, moving him past Olave, David Boston and Marvin Harrison Jr. He reached the mark in his 34th career game; Olave needed 47.

Smith also passed Emeka Egbuka’s career receptions record of 205, finishing with 207. His 3,381 career receiving yards moved him atop Ohio State’s all-time list in that category, too.

Smith’s best catch may not have been a touchdown. In the second quarter, Sayin threw toward Smith despite Iowa’s triple coverage. Smith came down with the ball for a 54-yard gain.

“That was not a great read, but a ridiculous throw and an unbelievable catch,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “There’s times where [Smith is] covered and [Sayin] still makes the throw. We make the throw and the catch, which just speaks to [Smith’s] ability and Julian’s trust with him.”

When Sayin was asked about the catch, he smiled.  “Which one?” Sayin joked. “He’s extremely talented,” Sayin added. “But he’s somebody who’s a great worker, a hard worker.”

Smith followed his 12-catch, 217-yard performance against Illinois by becoming the first receiver in Ohio State history to record consecutive 200-yard games.

Over the two games, he has 23 receptions for 423 yards and six touchdowns. Smith apparently wasn’t tracking the numbers.

“I was surprised I had 200 yards,” Smith said. “I didn’t know I had that much.”

Julian Sayin completed 20 of 27 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Devin McCuin caught the other touchdown. Ohio State totaled 484 yards to Iowa’s 238 and controlled possession for more than 38 minutes.

The Buckeyes led 17-6 at halftime before Smith’s touchdown opened the game in the third quarter. Ja’Kobi Jackson’s seven-yard touchdown run early in the fourth pushed the lead to 31-6 before Iowa added a late touchdown and two-point conversion.

The victory was Ohio State’s first in Iowa City since 2010, though that win was later vacated, making 2006 the program’s last official victory there. It was also the Buckeyes’ first trip to Kinnick Stadium since their 55-24 loss in 2017.

Wide receivers rarely win the Heisman Trophy, but Smith is making it increasingly difficult to overlook him. He has recorded at least 150 receiving yards and a touchdown in four of Ohio State’s first five games this season.

Despite the Heisman pose, Smith rarely seeks attention. “This is somebody who is not selfish, but he’s very, very competitive,” Day said. “All he cares about is winning.”

Ohio State improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play. Smith added another milestone to his legacy. He isn’t merely chasing Ohio State history anymore. He’s creating it.