Ohio State beats Illinois as Smith ties TD record

Ohio State defeated Illinois 42-19 on September 26, as wide receiver Jeremiah Smith tied the Buckeyes’ single-game record with four touchdown catches and set career highs with 12 receptions and 217 receiving yards. The seventh-ranked Buckeyes opened Big Ten play with the victory, their 15th consecutive season with a win in their conference opener. Smith scored three times in the first half, helping Ohio State build a 28-10 lead. His first touchdown, a 7-yard catch, capped the Buckeyes’ opening drive. He added a 72-yard score on the team’s next possession, then made a 9-yard touchdown catch late in the half. Smith’s fourth touchdown came on a 26-yard reception with 10:07 left in the game, extending Ohio State’s lead to 35-13. The four scoring catches matched Ohio State’s record for touchdown receptions in a game. Smith’s 217 yards were also a career best, as were his 12 catches. He had 150 receiving yards by halftime. The performance made him the first Buckeye with three touchdown receptions in a first half since Noah Brown did so in 2016, according to game accounts. Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 27 of 36 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns, and ran for a score.