Eight Ohio State freshmen saw the field in the Buckeyes’ 49-14 mauling of Marshall with four youngsters recording statistics. Jeremiah Smith led the way with his three catches for 70 yards and a score.
Late in the third quarter, Will Howard found Smith on a quick slant to the right and 53 yards later, the receiver crossed the goal line for his fourth touchdown of the season.
Can't guard Jeremiah Smith. pic.twitter.com/LPEReAxSCn
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 21, 2024
Smith is blazing a new trail of accomplishments for an Ohio State freshman receiver. He is the first true freshman in program history to have a receiving touchdown in each of the first three games. His 14 receptions and 281 receiving yards are the most ever for an Ohio State freshman at this point of the season. Next week, he will take his talents outside the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium as the team heads to East Lansing to start conference play.
| PLAYER | REC | YARDS | TD | LONG | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Smith | 14 | 281 | 4 | 70 | 20.1 |
| Michael Wiley | 4 | 161 | 2 | 60 | 40.3 |
| Devin Smith | 5 | 119 | 1 | 36 | 23.8 |
| Terry Glenn | 5 | 114 | 0 | 45 | 22.8 |
| David Boston | 4 | 93 | 3 | 58 | 23.3 |
It wasn't all rainbows and sunshine for Smith against Marshall. Howard tried to hit him on a deep ball in the first quarter, but Josh Moten came down with the ball for an interception and the Thundering Herd took over at their own 9-yard line.
Stat Book Stuffers
Running back James Peoples saw action as Ohio State’s No. 3 RB for the third straight game. Although his touchdown streak came to an end, the Texas native picked up 31 yards on six strong carries. For the season, Peoples has 112 rushing yards and is averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Near the midpoint of the fourth quarter, Jaylen McClain recorded tackles on back-to-back plays. He stopped Marshall's Ethan Payne after the running back picked up a 16-yard gain. On the next snap, McClain met Payne again, this time limiting the ballcarrier for a 2-yard gain. The New Orange, New Jersey native was also on the kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return teams against the Thundering Herd.
Large Australian punter Nick McLarty was called on when Ohio State faced 4th-and-7 on its last possession of the game. He punted the ball 30 yards where the ball was fair caught at Marshall's 22-yard line. He is now averaging a pedestrian 32.5 yards after two punts.
Where are the 90+ yard punts that fly out of the stadium?
6-foot-7, 255 pound Australian Punter Nick McLarty has committed to Ohio State, he announced
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 9, 2024
pic.twitter.com/WQ3xOtE0fL
Dominic Kirks, Eric Mensah, Payton Pierce and Aaron Scott Jr. all saw playing time on defense late in the game. Pierce also participated on the kickoff and punt return teams.
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.
Three games into the season, 17 Ohio State freshmen have played in at least one game with six freshmen – McClain, Mensah, Peoples, Pierce, Scott and Smith – playing in all three games.
| NAME | POS | DEBUT | MARSHALL STATS | GP | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAYLEN McCLAIN | S | Akron | 2 tackles | 3 | 4 tackles, 1 TFL |
| ERIC MENSAH | DT | Akron | 3 defensive snaps | 3 | 4 defensive snaps |
| JAMES PEOPLES | RB | Akron | 6 carries, 31 yards | 3 | 22 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD; 1 catch, -2 yards |
| PAYTON PIERCE | LB | Akron | 3 defensive snaps | 3 | 8 defensive snaps |
| AARON SCOTT JR. | CB | Akron | 8 defensive snaps | 3 | 1 PBU |
| JEREMIAH SMITH | WR | Akron | 3 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD | 3 | 14 catches, 281 yards, 4 TD |
| DOMINIC KIRKS | DE | Akron | 3 defensive snaps | 2 | 5 defensive snaps |
| NICK McLARTY | P | WMU | 1 punt, 30 yards | 2 | 2 punts, 32.5 average |
| EDDRICK HOUSTON | DE | Akron | 2 | 1 tackle, 2 PBU | |
| GARRETT STOVER | LB | Akron | 2 | Special teams | |
| SAM WILLIAMS-DIXON | RB | Akron | 2 | 4 carries, 44 yards | |
| MYLAN GRAHAM | WR | WMU | 1 | 4 offensive snaps | |
| MAX LeBLANC | TE | WMU | 1 | 5 offensive snaps | |
| IAN MOORE | OT | WMU | 1 | 5 offensive snaps | |
| JULIAN SAYIN | QB | WMU | 1 | 2-2, 61 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 5 yards | |
| BRYCE WEST | CB | WMU | 1 | Special teams | |
| DORIAN WILLIAMS | WR | WMU | 1 | Special teams | |
| DEONTAE ARMSTRONG | OL | ||||
| DEVONTAE ARMSTRONG | OL | ||||
| MILES LOCKHART | CB | ||||
| AIR NOLAND | QB | ||||
| LEROY ROKER | S | ||||
| GABE VANSICKLE | OL | ||||
| DAMARION WITTEN | WR |
(Note: The table does not include freshman walk-ons who have not yet played.)
- #3 Ohio State 49, Marshall 14
- • Buckeyes Run Through Marshall, 49-14
- • Q and Tre, Best in USA
- • Archie: "We're Going All the Way Baby"
- • Ohio State Postgame • Photos • After Carmen
- • Five Things • Three Key Stats • Marshall Postgame
- • Notebook • TBDBITL
