COLUMBUS — Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to put together one of the most impressive careers in program history, and the junior is approaching another Big Ten record as the Buckeyes prepare to host Oregon on Saturday.
Through eight games this season, Smith has caught 62 passes for 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is averaging 133.4 receiving yards per game and 17.2 yards per reception, maintaining exceptional production despite the loss of starting quarterback Julian Sayin to injury.
Smith has already made history this season, becoming the first Ohio State receiver to record three 1,000-yard seasons. He reached the milestone during Saturday's 30-18 loss at USC, finishing with 10 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.
The touchdown was another milestone, giving Smith 40 career receiving touchdowns and moving him past former Michigan standout Braylon Edwards for the Big Ten career record. Smith had already broken Ohio State's career records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches earlier this season.
His career totals now stand at 225 receptions, 3,625 receiving yards, and 40 touchdowns. Smith needs another 164 receiving yards to break the Big Ten career record of 3,788, set by Purdue's John Standeford from 2000 through 2003.
Smith has also tied Marvin Harrison Jr. for the most career 100-yard receiving games in Ohio State history with 15. Another performance of at least 100 yards Saturday would give him sole possession of that record.
Several of Smith's performances this season have been remarkable. He caught 12 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns against Illinois on September 26, tying Ohio State's single-game record for touchdown receptions. The following week, he added 11 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-14 victory at Iowa.
With true freshman Luke Fahey taking over for Sayin, Smith's experience and ability to make difficult catches have become even more important. He caught 10 passes in Fahey's first start against USC, giving the young quarterback with a dependable option throughout the game. And by dependable, I mean the best player in the sport.
Saturday's matchup with Oregon gives Smith another opportunity to add to his records, but it also provides an even more important opportunity for Ohio State to get back on track following the USC loss.
