No. 7 Ohio State did not simply walk into their Big Ten opener against Illinois, they absolutely exploded. The Buckeyes put up two touchdowns on their first two possessions, sending a clear message right from the jump. The second score, man, that was pure fireworks. It came on a massive 72-yard bomb from quarterback Julian Sayin to his top target, receiver Jeremiah Smith, immediately pushing Ohio State ahead 14-0. What an electric start to a conference game!
Smith’s 72-Yard Spectacular
If you blinked, you missed a highlight reel play. Sayin unleashed that 72-yard pass, and Smith secured it, absolutely roasting Illinois defensive back Mac Resetich. Seriously, Smith spun Resetich around so hard the poor guy looked totally helpless out there on the field. It was a play that showcased elite speed, incredible hands, and pure dominance. You gotta respect a player who makes a defender look like they’re playing a different sport. That’s the kind of momentum-swinging play that gets the crowd absolutely roaring and really sets the tone in a Big Ten matchup.
Untouchable Early Season Numbers
This 72-yard monster wasn’t even Smith’s first trip to the end zone in this game. He actually sealed Ohio State’s initial series with a slick 7-yard touchdown catch, also from Sayin. Get this: after not scoring last week against Kent State, Smith made darn sure he got on the board super early today, marking his first TD on just the ninth play of the game for the Buckeyes. This junior sensation is having a season for the ages already. He now has a ridiculous 5 touchdowns through the early part of the schedule. Before this Illinois game, he had already racked up 21 receptions for a whopping 400 yards. And then, against the Fighting Illini, he added another 4 catches for 123 yards to that impressive tally. Those are not just good numbers; those are elite, game-changing statistics that tell you everything you need to know about his impact.
Ohio State, ranked No. 7 in the nation, is showing everyone what kind of force they are in this Big Ten opener. With Jeremiah Smith already piling up 5 touchdowns and consistently putting up huge yardage, this offense is going to be a nightmare for every team they face. If he keeps this pace, Smith is going to be a problem, and the rest of the conference better be ready. This season is looking like it’s going to be something special for the Buckeyes.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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