Ten Ohio State freshmen traveled to East Lansing for Ohio State's 38-7 dismantling of Michigan State. In what is becoming the weekly Jeremiah Smith recap, let's dive into the ridiculously talented receiver's game and historical context.
Just before the end of the first half, Smith strutted his stuff for the Peacock audience.
OH MY.
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 29, 2024
Jeremiah Smith is HIM.
Peacock | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/qA9KvH9WI4
He is now the first true freshman in program history to have a receiving touchdown in each of the first four games to start a season. His 19 receptions, 364 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns are the most ever for an Ohio State freshman at this point of the season. If you're wondering, Marvin Harrison Jr. only had one catch for nine yards at this point during his freshman year of 2021.
| PLAYER | REC | YARDS | TD | LONG | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Smith | 19 | 364 | 5 | 70 | 19.2 |
| Devin Smith | 8 | 183 | 3 | 36 | 22.9 |
| Michael Wiley | 4 | 161 | 2 | 60 | 40.3 |
| Cris Carter | 11 | 115 | 2 | 18 | 10.5 |
| Terry Glenn | 5 | 114 | 0 | 45 | 22.8 |
This week, Smith added another wrinkle to his game for opposing defenses to lose sleep over. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly worked in their offensive play lab and came up with a reverse that looked quite similar to a play previously run by Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs for their speedy rookie, Xavier Worthy. Borrowed or not, the play called for Smith was executed perfectly and the receiver cruised in for his first rushing touchdown.
Smith joins Ted Ginn Jr. as the only Ohio State freshman receiver in the modern era (1960-today) to ever have a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game. Ginn accomplished this twice in 2004, with the first time coming against Michigan State.
Stat Book Stuffers
Running back James Peoples saw action as Ohio State’s No. 3 RB for the fourth consecutive game. He was the Buckeyes' featured back for the entire fourth quarter, gaining 29 yards on 10 attempts.
For the second straight game, Jaylen McClain recorded tackles on back-to-back plays. This time, McClain made stops on the last two plays of the night. Following his tackle of Michigan State's Makhi Frazier following a nice run after catch ended the game.
Aaron Scott Jr. was credited with making Ohio State's first tackle of the night. The stat book lists Scott and Caleb Downs as bringing down Spartans' running back Nate Carter on Michigan State's first play of the game. That was a case of mistaken identity, however, as Scott did not start the game; it was Sonny Styles, whose No. 6 was likely mistaken for No. 5, who got in on the tackle with Downs.
Speaking of mistakes, Julian Sayin is listed in the official stats as completing zero passes on two attempts. According to PFF, and our eyes, the freshman quarterback completed three of his five passes for 21 yards.
The most memorable of his plays was the last offensive snap for Ohio State. With the Buckeyes facing 4th-and-1 at Michigan State's 48-yard line, the young Californian attempted to connect with Brandon Inniss deep down the left sideline. Ryan Day was not pleased with the decision, and the camera caught the head coach looking exasperated, arms outstretched to his sides while shaking his head.
Payton Pierce played five snaps at linebacker and assisted on the punt return team. In the fourth quarter, Eddrick Houston was credited with two snaps at defensive end.
Sam Williams-Dixon, Mylan Graham and Nick McLarty made the trip to East Lansing but did not see playing time.
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.
Four games into the season, 17 Ohio State freshmen have played in at least one game, with five freshmen – McClain, Peoples, Pierce, Scott and Smith – playing in all four games and will burn their redshirts with their next game appearances.
| NAME | POS | DEBUT | MICHIGAN STATE STATS | GP | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAYLEN McCLAIN | S | Akron | 2 tackles | 4 | 6 tackles, 1 TFL |
| JAMES PEOPLES | RB | Akron | 10 carries, 29 yards | 4 | 32 carries, 141 yards, 2 TD; 1 catch, -2 yards |
| PAYTON PIERCE | LB | Akron | Played at LB | 4 | 13 defensive snaps |
| AARON SCOTT JR. | CB | Akron | Played at CB | 4 | 1 PBU |
| JEREMIAH SMITH | WR | Akron | 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 19 yards, 1 TD | 4 | 19 catches, 364 yards, 5 TD; 1 carry, 19 yards, 1 TD |
| EDDRICK HOUSTON | DE | Akron | Played at DE | 3 | 1 tackle, 2 PBU |
| JULIAN SAYIN | QB | WMU | 3-5, 23 yards | 2 | 5-7, 84 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 5 yards |
| ERIC MENSAH | DT | Akron | 3 | 4 defensive snaps | |
| DOMINIC KIRKS | DE | Akron | 2 | 5 defensive snaps | |
| NICK McLARTY | P | WMU | 2 | 2 punts, 32.5 average | |
| 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 | |
| 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 38, Michigan State 7
- • Buckeyes Bully Michigan State, 38-7
- • Smith's Rapid Rise to Stardom Continues
- • Situational Superiority
- • Jeremiah Smith Breaks the Internet
- • Ohio State Postgame • Photos • After Carmen
- • Five Things • Three Key Stats • Michigan State Postgame
- • Notebook • Social Reax
