COLUMBUS — Jeremiah Smith spent most of Saturday reminding Illinois and the rest of the country that there is a difference between knowing where Ohio State’s best player is and actually stopping him.
Smith caught 12 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns as Ohio State defeated Illinois, 42-19, at Ohio Stadium. His four touchdown receptions tied the program’s single-game record and made him the fifth Buckeye to accomplish the feat.
Julian Sayin was nearly as impressive, completing 27 of 35 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. Ohio State finished with 489 total yards, including 367 through the air, as the Sayin-to-Smith combination proved far too much for Illinois to handle.
Ohio State wasted little time establishing that connection. Smith caught a seven-yard touchdown on the opening possession before breaking loose for a 72-yard score later in the first quarter. He added a nine-yard touchdown in the second quarter as the Buckeyes took a 28-10 lead into halftime.
Sayin also answered some questions with his willingness to use his legs. The Ohio State quarterback finished with seven carries for 29 yards, showing more readiness to take what the defense gave him when passing lanes disappeared. There were still a couple of opportunities when he could have taken off, but it was a noticeable improvement.
The offensive line answered some questions of its own with a much better performance in short-yardage situations. Like Sayin’s running, there were still a few plays Ohio State would like back, but the Buckeyes consistently created enough movement to keep drives alive and were far more effective when they needed a yard or two.
Ryan Day’s challenge to his running backs to run with more physicality produced more mixed results. Bo Jackson finished with 50 yards on 10 carries and was stopped several times in one-on-one situations, although he did show some extra fight at times.
Ja’Kobi Jackson provided the stronger finish. With Ohio State trying to put the game away late, Jackson ripped off a 15-yard run to the Illinois two-yard line before punching it in on the next play to give the Buckeyes their final touchdown.
The biggest concern came on the other side of the ball.
Illinois finished with 422 yards of offense, including 189 on the ground, and controlled long stretches of the second half. The third quarter was particularly concerning as the Illini kept Ohio State’s offense on the sideline and repeatedly moved the chains, producing some uncomfortable flashbacks to the second half of the Texas game.
The defense ultimately made enough stops when it mattered.
Illinois opened the second half with a long drive but was forced to settle for a field goal. Its next possession stretched into the fourth quarter and reached the Ohio State 20 before the Buckeyes stopped the Illini on fourth down.
Sayin and Smith immediately made them pay.
Ohio State responded with an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, with Sayin finding Smith for a 26-yard score. It was Smith’s fourth touchdown of the afternoon and pushed the Buckeyes’ lead to 35-13 with 10:07 remaining.
Illinois quarterback Katin Houser finished 19 of 33 for 233 yards and one touchdown, while Aidan Laughery led the Illini rushing attack with 113 yards on 11 carries.
Illinois moved the football well enough to give Ohio State plenty to address before next week, particularly against the run. But no matter how easily the Illini moved the ball at times, the two best players on the field ultimately made the difference as the Buckeyes’ offense proved nearly unstoppable for most of the day.
Sayin was sharp, Smith was dominant, and the Buckeyes walked away with a 42-19 Big Ten victory.
What’s Next: Ohio State travels to Iowa City next Saturday to face Iowa at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.
