Freshman Tracker: Jeremiah Smith Scores Fourth Touchdown in Three Games As Eight Ohio State Freshmen Play vs. Marshall

By Matt Gutridge on September 22, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Jeremiah Smith
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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. 

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. 

Top Ohio State Freshman Receivers Through Three Games
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 West 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?

Dominic KirksEric MensahPayton 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.

Class of 2024 Tracker
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.)

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