EAST LANSING, Mich. — Ohio State may have its next great receiver.
On Saturday night, Jeremiah Smith had a 19-yard touchdown run and scored on a one-handed 17-yard catch in the second quarter to help the No. 3 Buckeyes beat Michigan State 38-7. did.
The Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) were playing close games until the freshman phenom took over.
“It turned the game upside down.” Coach Ryan Day said. “This is where the game changed.”
The Spartans (3-2, 1-1) lost the football in the red zone three times in the first half, hurting their chances to hang on.
“If we don’t get those turnovers, it’s going to be a different game.” Day said.
Smith’s speed allowed him to come out unscathed on an end-around midway through the second quarter. His skill allowed him to leap over and catch Devin Brown’s pass with his right hand. He finished three plays after making a 27-yard twisting catch between two defenders using only one hand. Ohio State took a 24-7 lead in the final minutes. first half.
“What an incredible catch.” Day said. “I can’t believe he caught it.”
But Smith said it wasn’t his favorite catch of the night.
“I liked the previous one the most.” he said.
The nation’s top recruit from Miami Gardens, Florida, had five receptions for 83 yards.
Smith answered the bill.
He became the first freshman to catch two touchdown passes in a season opener and has 14 catches, 281 yards, and four touchdowns in the first three games for a program with a rich tradition as a receiver. did.
Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 overall pick out of Arizona, was the powerhouse program’s last star at the position, and the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Smith appears to be the latest addition.
“He has all the intangibles you want in a prototype receiver.” Emeka Egbuka said.
Will Howard, who was briefly ejected after taking a hit in the first half, completed 21 of 31 passes for 244 yards. He had a 3-yard touchdown pass to Gee Scott in the first quarter and a 33-yard touchdown pass to Egbuka late in the third quarter to make it 4-5.
Howard made an interception that helped the Spartans get within three points early in the second quarter.
Aidan Chiles completed 13 of 19 for 167 yards with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jaron Glover with 7:22 left in the first half, making the score 10-7. He had an interception in the third quarter.
The Spartans made enough plays to get into the red zone on their first two drives, but didn’t score as Chiles was stuffed with a fourth-down rush on the 20th and Jack Belling lost a fumble on the 11th. Ta. Chile quit football. at the Ohio State 16 in the second quarter.
“We didn’t help ourselves.” Coach Jonathan Smith said.
Michigan State University, he said. “Far away,” From the match against Ohio State University.
“It’s in the details and it’s in the turnovers.” he said.
Main points
Ohio State has two of the best receivers in college football in Smith and Egbuka, a senior standout who had seven catches for 96 yards and one touchdown.
Michigan State committed 10 turnovers in four games and added three more against the Buckeyes, continuing a troubling trend for the first-year coach.
Impact of public opinion polls
The Buckeyes could finish at No. 3 in the AP Top 25 for the fourth consecutive week.
to the next
Ohio State hosts Iowa State on Saturday.
Michigan State will play No. 8 Oregon State on Saturday.