Ten Ohio State freshmen saw the field in the Buckeyes’ 52-6 opening-game victory over Akron with four youngsters making the stat sheet.
Two of those newcomers combined for 122 total yards and three touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith is rightfully receiving plenty of praise for his six-reception, 92-yard and two-touchdown performance. Perhaps as impressive as his highlight reel catches is the soothsayer's prediction of where he would haul in his first collegiate score.
Brooo @Jermiah_Smith1 we called it back inna spring, real life manifestation right there #SFEToColumbus #SFEBuckeyes #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/3Z59dnVqq3
— COACH DIRT (@_CoachDirt) September 1, 2024
The man is not only a freak on the football field, but he can also see the future. No wonder he's able to find the open spots against defenses. Who needs Connor Stalions when you have players who are "seers"?
Pressure? What pressure?
Jeremiah Smith is not phased by the hype that surrounds him.
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) September 1, 2024
I just want to impress my coaches, impress my peers around me, and my teammates. pic.twitter.com/c1u1xvy2uK
A second freshman found the end zone for Ohio State on the final play of the third quarter. James Peoples powered his way into the end zone from four yards out. The freshman from San Antonio scored on his very first carry as a Buckeye.
The last time two freshmen scored in an Ohio State season opener was in 2019. Jaxon Smith-Njigba made this sick toe-tapping catch and Jack Miller scored on a 2-yard keeper with 0:18 remaining in the win over Nebraska.
Jaylen McClain made the first tackle of his Ohio State career midway through the fourth quarter. The freshman safety stopped Akron's Charles Kellom after the Zip made a 6-yard gain.
Larry Johnson gave Eddrick Houston, Dominic Kirks and Eric Mensah some snaps on the defensive line and linebacker Payton Pierce and corner Aaron Scott also got some defensive snaps late in the game.
Sam Williams-Dixon had one carry for four yards and Garrett Stover saw special teams action on the kickoff coverage and punt return teams.
James Peoples scores his first career touchdown on his first career carry for Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/hTNKIUSE2o
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 31, 2024
Under the NCAA's redshirt rules, a player can appear in up to four games during the regular season – plus play in any postseason games – and still count it as his redshirt year.
| NAME | POS | DEBUT | AKRON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDDRICK HOUSTON | DE | Akron | 2 passes defended |
| DOMINIC KIRKS | DE | Akron | 2 defensive snaps |
| JAYLEN McCLAIN | S | Akron | 1 tackle |
| ERIC MENSAH | DT | Akron | 2 defensive snaps |
| JAMES PEOPLES | RB | Akron | 6 carries, 30 yards, 1 TD |
| PAYTON PIERCE | LB | Akron | 5 defensive snaps |
| AARON SCOTT | CB | Akron | 10 defensive snaps |
| JEREMIAH SMITH | WR | Akron | 6 catches, 92 yards, 2 TD |
| GARRETT STOVER | LB | Akron | Special teams |
| SAM WILLIAMS-DIXON | RB | Akron | 1 carry, 4 yards |
| DEONTAE ARMSTRONG | OL | ||
| DEVONTAE ARMSTRONG | OL | ||
| MYLAN GRAHAM | WR | ||
| MAX LeBLANC | TE | ||
| MILES LOCKHART | CB | ||
| NICK McLARTY | P | ||
| IAN MOORE | OL | ||
| AIR NOLAND | QB | ||
| LEROY ROKER | S | ||
| JULIAN SAYIN | QB | ||
| GABE VANSICKLE | OL | ||
| BRYCE WEST | CB | ||
| DAMARION WITTEN | WR |
(Note: The table does not include freshman walk-ons who have not yet played.)
- #2 Ohio State 52, Akron 6
- • Buckeyes Win Comfortably in Opener, 52-6
- • Jeremiah Smith is "Built Different"
- • Offense Pushes Through "Uptight" Start
- • Archie Griffin Dots the 'i' in Script Ohio
- • Ohio State Postgame • Photos • Postgame Breakdown
- • Akron Postgame • Ohio State Honors Gaudreau Brothers • Three Key Stats
