As the Buckeyes opened up Big Ten play Saturday night on the road, and their quest at a conference championship got off to a great start. The Spartans of Michigan State have been known to give the Buckeyes issues from time to time in the past. However, Saturday night at Spartan Stadium would not be one of them. Ohio State capitalized on Spartan mistakes, forcing three turnovers at crucial moments in the game.
After an opening drive field goal, the Buckeyes struggled initially to stop the Spartan offense. As an underdog at home the Spartans elected to go for it. Buckeye Cody Simon stepped up on 4th and one at the Ohio State 32 yard line making the pad popping hit on Michigan State running back Lynch-Adams forcing a turnover on downs.
The Buckeyes then drove down the field to score their first touchdown of the evening and pushed the lead to double digits, taking the breath out of the stadium early. After back to back fumbles on Michigan State drives the Buckeyes showcased their freshman star receiver Jeremiah Smith who would have five catches for 83 yards and a receiving touchdown. Smith also would have a 19 yard rushing touchdown with 7:27 left in the 2nd quarter making the score 24-7.
Ohio State was able to get the ball back just before halftime with a chance to really put the nail in the coffin early. Quarterback Will Howard took a huge hit and had to sit out the next play. Facing a 3rd and 10 in the redzone, backup quarterback Devin Brown came in cold off the bench to throw an absolute dart that would stun the press box and the entire stadium. Freshman Jeremiah Smith snagged a one handed grab along the sideline which would result in him running into the end zone off the 17 yard score. Coach Day talked about the play after the game, “I was so proud of Devin for stepping up like that on third down and pulling off that throw. Then the unbelievable catch by Jeremiah, that was spectacular.”
What’s even more amazing is that just two plays later Smith made another one handed leaping catch along the sideline that would set up his encore touchdown catch. After the game Smith broke down the touchdown, “It was cover two, the corner pressed me and Devin just threw a great ball and I knew I had to make a play for him.”
When asked if that was his favorite catch Smith adds, “No, the catch before that I thought was my favorite.”
Smith now has five receiving touchdowns on the season as a freshman and tied Garrett Wilson for third in Ohio State history. Through four games Smith now has six total touchdowns which is incredible to say the least.
Ohio State took a 24-7 lead into the break but this one was already over. After the Smith touchdown catch that really seemed to deflate the Michigan State fans, a good chunk of them left at halftime. Ohio State added two more touchdowns in the third quarter and shut out Michigan State in the second half. Big Ten play couldn't have started any better for Ohio State with a 38-7 road win in East Lansing.
With the win, Ohio State improves to 4-0 and 1-0 in conference play. Up next the Buckeyes return home Saturday to host Iowa at 3:30pm on CBS.