Smith Makes Early Heisman Statement as Buckeyes Crush Ball State 56-3

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

 If Jeremiah Smith wanted to send an early message to Heisman Trophy voters, consider it delivered. Smith needed just one half Saturday to remind the college football world exactly why the Ohio State superstar enters the 2026 season as one of the most feared players in America.

Behind huge performances from Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin, No. 1 Ohio State dismantled Ball State 56-3 at Ohio Stadium, opening its season with an offensive explosion before turning its attention toward a massive showdown with Texas.

The final numbers told the story.

Ohio State piled up 671 yards of total offense, rushed for 237 yards and held Ball State to only 165 total yards. The Buckeyes scored 56 points and surrendered only a 54-yard field goal.

But on an afternoon filled with standout performances, nobody shined brighter than No. 4.

Smith was essentially unstoppable.

The junior wide receiver caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, and the most remarkable part was that every one of those numbers came in the first half.

His first reception of the 2026 season immediately produced one of the day’s biggest highlights.

With Ohio State backed up deep in its own territory, Sayin launched a deep pass downfield toward Smith. Despite tight coverage, Smith somehow secured the football with one hand for a spectacular 48-yard touchdown, giving Ohio State a 7-0 advantage.

It was the kind of catch that has become almost expected from a player whose combination of size, strength, speed and body control makes him one of the most difficult matchups in college football.

Smith wasn’t finished.

With only 10 seconds remaining before halftime, Sayin found him again for a three-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone. Smith got his feet down, extended Ohio State’s lead to 28-3 and put an exclamation point on a sensational opening half.

Smith didn’t play in the second half. He didn’t need to. Eight catches. 151 yards. Two touchdowns. One half. That’s a pretty convincing opening argument for a trip to New York City in December.

While Smith provided the highlight-reel moments, Sayin quietly put together an outstanding performance of his own.

Ohio State’s starting quarterback completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Sayin also punched in a three-yard rushing touchdown on fourth-and-goal, giving him four total touchdowns on the afternoon.

His connection with Smith looked as dangerous as ever, but Sayin also spread the football around.

Devin McCuin caught six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, giving Ohio State another dangerous option alongside Smith in an already loaded receiving corps.

Sayin played with poise, accuracy and command of the offense. Against Ball State, he looked like a quarterback ready to take another step forward.

Next week will provide a much different challenge.

Ohio State’s offense wasn’t limited to the passing game. The Buckeyes rushed for 237 yards, with Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson each finishing with 83 yards and a touchdown.

After the running game struggled to generate much momentum early, Bo Jackson broke the game wide open with a 65-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Ja’Kobi Jackson followed with a 49-yard touchdown run as Ohio State’s depth began to overwhelm a tired Ball State defense.

By the end of the afternoon, Ohio State had accumulated a staggering 671 total yards.

The Buckeye defense was equally dominant.

Ball State finished with just 165 yards of total offense and never reached the end zone. The Cardinals’ only points came on Brody Boehm’s 54-yard field goal late in the second quarter.

It was complete domination from a Buckeye team that entered the afternoon as the nation’s No. 1 team and played like it.

Saturday wasn’t only about Ohio State’s present.

It was also a celebration of its past.

Former Ohio State head coach’s Jim Tressel was inducted into the Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor, permanently placing his name alongside some of the greatest figures in Buckeye history.

Known affectionately by Buckeye fans as “The Senator,” Tressel led Ohio State from 2001-10 and helped restore the program to the top of college football.

His greatest achievement came during the unforgettable 2002 season, when Ohio State completed a perfect 14-0 campaign by defeating Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to capture the national championship. Tressel also built his legacy through the rivalry with Michigan, going 9-1 against the Wolverines during his tenure.

Now his name will forever have a home inside the stadium where he created so many unforgettable memories.

Ohio State couldn’t have asked for much more from its season opener.

Smith looked like a Heisman candidate.

Sayin looked like one of the country’s best quarterbacks. The Buckeyes rushed for 237 yards, produced 671 yards of offense and allowed only three points.

But Ryan Day and the Buckeyes know the challenge awaiting them is on an entirely different level. Following the victory, Day gave his team only a brief period to enjoy it before turning the page, now it’s on to Texas.

Ohio State will travel to Austin next Saturday for a primetime battle against the No. 5 Texas Longhorns, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ABC. Ball State was the opening act.

Next Saturday night, under the lights in Austin, the Buckeyes will find out just how ready they are for the main event.