It's been 77 days since Ohio State lost to Oregon. Jeremiah Smith has thought about it every one of them.
One moment in particular stands out to the Big Ten Freshman and Receiver of the Year. It's not hard to guess which.
On Ohio State's final drive, the offense faced 2nd-and-10 from the Oregon 28-yard line when quarterback Will Howard connected with Smith for an 8-yard gain. The catch would have put the Buckeyes in position for a potential game-winning field goal. However, officials penalized Smith for offensive pass interference, a 15-yard penalty that pushed Ohio State back to the Oregon 43, effectively knocking the Buckeyes out of field goal range. The clock hit zeroes on Howard’s slide on the final play of the game as he attempted to get Ohio State back into field goal range.
Another look at the OPI called against Jeremiah Smith pic.twitter.com/UPukzS6XcU
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 13, 2024
In a press conference on Saturday, Smith said he still disagrees with the call and expressed frustration that officials didn't let him be physical with Oregon defensive back Nikko Reed.
"I think about that call probably every day. It was a crazy call," Smith said. "The DB was holding me. I just cleared his hands. I guess receivers can't be physical in football anymore, but DBs can hold 10 yards, 15 yards down the field. So, I mean, it's behind me – I know how to move from here on out. When the DB is grabbing me, I know how to move now. I guess (you) can't be physical as a receiver in college football anymore."
Coming off a six-catch, 103-yard, two-touchdown performance in his first College Football Playoff game, Smith looks forward to Ohio State's rematch with Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Saying Saturday that he's open unless "the whole team is on me," Smith hopes to make a big impact in Pasadena and help the Buckeyes get the better of the Ducks this time around.
"We'll see how things play out in this game," he said.
