COLUMBUS — Jeremiah Smith delivered a performance that defined Ohio State’s opener in Big Ten play, catching four touchdowns and recording career highs in catches and yards as the No. 7 Buckeyes beat Illinois, 42-19, Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Smith finished with 12 receptions for 217 yards and four scores, tying an Ohio State single-game record for touchdown receptions. The game marked one of the few times since 2000 that a Football Bowl Subdivision player has had double-digit catches, at least 200 receiving yards and four touchdowns in a single game.
Big plays and a record-tying night
Smith set the tone early. After a 31-yard connection moved Ohio State deep into Illinois territory on the opening drive, Smith converted with a 7-yard touchdown. He later broke free for a 72-yard scoring catch, the second-longest reception of his career, and added two more touchdowns in the second half to finish off the Illini.
Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 27 of 36 passes for 367 yards and added a rushing touchdown, orchestrating a potent passing attack that Illinois struggled to contain for much of the afternoon. The Buckeyes improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play.
Illinois kept it competitive but couldn’t keep up
Illinois (2-2, 0-1) managed to stay within striking distance early. Quarterback Katin Houser completed 21 of 37 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown, and running back Jordan Anderson provided an early spark with a 22-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
But the Illini defense could not find a way to limit Smith and Sayin at the same time. Smith’s fourth touchdown, a 26-yard strike that extended Ohio State’s advantage to 35-13 with 10:07 remaining in the game, effectively put the contest out of reach.
How the night stacks up historically
Smith’s line — 12 catches, 217 yards and four TDs — is notable in Ohio State history. It tied for the sixth-most receiving yards and the sixth-most receptions in a single game for the Buckeyes. The four-touchdown receiving performance was the program’s fifth such outing and the first of its kind since a 2016 game.
| Stat | Ohio State | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 42 | 19 |
| Top passer | Julian Sayin — 27/36, 367 yards | Katin Houser — 21/37, 263 yards |
| Top receiver | Jeremiah Smith — 12, 217 yards, 4 TDs |
What it means for Illinois
The loss drops Illinois to 0-1 in conference play and raises questions about how the Illini will respond when they face their next Big Ten opponent. While the offense showed the ability to move the ball — Houser’s numbers were respectable against a top-ranked defense — the unit was unable to produce enough stops or key plays on special teams to keep pace with Ohio State’s scoring bursts.
- Jeremiah Smith tied OSU’s single-game record with 4 touchdown receptions.
- Julian Sayin threw for 367 yards and added a rushing touchdown.
- Illinois quarterback Katin Houser passed for 263 yards and threw a touchdown.
Illinois coaches and players will head back to the drawing board this week, seeking ways to shore up a defense that surrendered explosive plays and to find consistency on offense that can translate into conference wins.
For Ohio State, the outing reinforced the Buckeyes’ reputation as a passing threat and gave them momentum as Big Ten play begins. Smith’s breakout night will be remembered not only for tying a program mark but for how his performance altered the game’s flow.
The teams will move on to different challenges next week as the college football season pushes deeper into conference schedules. For Illinois fans and analysts, the focus will be on adjustments and recovery; for Ohio State, it will be about sustaining an aerial attack that proved decisive in Columbus.
