Questionable Offensive Pass Interference Call Against Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith Costs Ohio State Dearly

In a heartbreaking 32-31 loss to No. 3 Oregon on Saturday night, a controversial offensive pass interference call against freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on Ohio State’s final drive left Buckeye fans frustrated and bewildered.

Trailing by one point with just 28 seconds remaining, Ohio State was facing 2nd-and-10 from Oregon’s 28-yard line when quarterback Will Howard connected with Smith for an 8-yard gain. The catch would have set up a manageable third down and likely positioned the Buckeyes for a potential game-winning field goal.

However, the officiating crew flagged Smith for offensive pass interference, a 15-yard penalty that pushed Ohio State back to the Oregon 43-yard line, effectively knocking them out of field goal range. Replays showed that the defensive back initiated contact with Smith, but the officials determined that Smith’s response warranted a penalty.

Another look at the OPI called against Jeremiah Smith pic.twitter.com/UPukzS6XcU
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 13, 2024

Simply put, this call is rarely made, especially in a high-stakes moment like that. The contact between Smith and the defender appeared minimal, and in most cases, these sorts of plays are let go, particularly when initiated by the defense. But on this night, the flag flew, adding another layer of frustration to an already tense night.

The corner is jamming the receiver when he gets pushed. This isn't OPI. This is a release. https://t.co/FekuDUmM5C
— Chimdi Chekwa (@ChimChek) October 13, 2024

"It cost us," Ohio State coach Ryan Day said of the play in the postgame. "But it shouldn't come down to one play. I've said that before. We want to leave no doubt. I feel like we should have done that tonight. We did not. Then you put it into the hands of a call, and you don't get it, then that's on us. It should never come down to that situation."

As Day alluded, this one call wasn’t why Ohio State lost. Still, for a game of this magnitude to hinge on a rarely called penalty left many questioning the decision and wondering what might have been.