Ohio State handled Kent State 59-3 as Jeremiah Smith set the program’s receiving record and young Buckeyes flashed with touchdowns.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jeremiah Smith breaks Ohio State’s all-time receiving yards record en route to a 59-3 victory over Kent State. 

The Buckeyes executed at a high level for the first 23 minutes of game play, gaining 15 first downs, before the offense sputtered on back-to-back drives. Sayin was hurried by a collapsing pocket but missed throws on 4th down in both series. That mirrored the offense’s day on third and fourth down. Ohio State managed just 1-of-8 third downs but mustered 2-for-4 on fourth downs.  

Ohio State’s starting offensive line was a big storyline this week as Phillip Daniels left the Texas game with an injury. Gabe Van Sickle (right guard) started for the injured Daniels, shifting Austin Siereveld to right tackle. 

New Program Receiving Leader

Jeremiah Smith caught his first pass on the opening drive, but the main takeaway was Ja’Kobi Jackson’s hard running. The Florida transfer running back powered into the end zone for an 11-yard score. He was the first of three running backs to score in the first half and found more success using gap schemes. 

The following drive was the record-breaker, as Jeremiah Smith caught a 23-yard pass to become the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards – 2,909 and counting. Julian Sayin put an exclamation point on the series by finding Nate Roberts to put the Buckeyes up 14. 

“It’s hard to put anybody, you know, above him. 33 games to break the all-time leading receiving record at Ohio State. I think that speaks more than anything to just him, his mindset, his discipline, what he does every day,” Ryan Day said of Jeremiah Smith breaking the record. 

Taking 33 games to set the program’s all-time receiving record is a remarkable accomplishment by Smith, who will only extend his lead before his career as a Buckeye comes to a close. Smith passed Michael Jenkins (2000-03), who previously held the record for 23 years.

“It’s hard to put anybody above him.”

Ryan Day on Jeremiah Smith setting the Ohio State’s receiving record and where he ranks as a Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/ZWLIVvqVn1

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) September 19, 2026

Distributing the Ball

Ohio State continued its efficient start with a third straight touchdown drive as Isaiah West got into the end zone, continuing a big half for the Buckeye backfield. A few plays later, Bo Jackson popped a 17-yard run, with excellent blocking from the left side of the offensive line and Chris Henry Jr. downfield. 

Wrapped inside the rushing attack was Julian Sayin, starting 11/11 and distributing the football to seven different wide receivers – Jeremiah Smith, Devin McCuin, Brandon Inniss, Brock Boyd, Nate Roberts, Phillip Bell, and Bo Jackson all registered at least one reception. 

It was encouraging to see the Buckeyes spread the ball around after missing production from other perimeter players in Austin besides Smith. In his postgame press conference, Ryan Day said that was an emphasis today. 

“A lot of the stuff the week before started with Jeremiah and went from there. This was a little bit more of a field progression game,” Day said. He also mentioned that Brandon Inniss had four catches, and Brock Boyd caught four passes on seven targets. “It was good to get other guys involved,” he said.

Who Stepped Up on Defense?

On defense, Eddrick Houston started at defensive tackle alongside John Walker on the inside. Kenyatta Jackson and Qua Russaw lined up at edge to start the game; however, the defensive line did not register a sack in the first half. John Walker generated the Buckeyes’ lone QB hurry. 

Ohio State had several young players to watch, and one of the most notable was linebacker Riley Pettijohn. His fast, physical style of play has been an asset to the defense through three games. Pettijohn dropped in coverage and undercut a route to intercept Kent State quarterback Dru Deshields. 

After the game, Pettijohn said he’s been working a lot on his coverage skills in both man-to-man and zone. He said he “feels like [his coverage abilities] have grown a lot, especially as my football knowledge increases.” No. 5 flies around and has a high ceiling, so he remains a player to watch for an expanded role in Columbus.

Unfortunately for Pettijohn, the offense couldn’t capitalize from the Flashes’ 13-yard line as Julian Sayin missed Brandon Inniss over the middle on fourth down as the pocket collapsed around him. 

Buckeye Hail Mary

The game grew quiet for the next few series until three seconds remained on the clock. Ohio State had the ball at the 49-yard line, and Julian Sayin rolled to his right and launched a hail mary toward the end zone. Brandon Inniss was all over it and caught it for an Ohio State touchdown, making it 35-0 Buckeyes at the half. 

Sayin threw one more pass in the first half before his day was finished. No. 10 threw for 241 yards, completing 18/22 passes and throwing two touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith caught five passes for 85 yards as the game’s leading receiver. 

As the Buckeyes continue to search for playmakers on the defensive line, Jason Moore and Will Smith Jr. combined for a sack in the third quarter. Moore played early snaps and was effective, but can he produce consistently? 

Luke Fahey & Freshman Make Big Plays

While the game felt vanilla with Ohio State in control, true freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Jamir Perez produced some electrifying second-half plays. Henry Jr. caught a pass from Luke Fahey and took it the distance for a 75-yard touchdown, showcasing his straight-line speed. That play was the flash the Buckeyes have been waiting for as Henry continues to grow his role and package. 

Chris Henry Jr. OFF TO THE RACES 💨

The true freshman takes it 75 yards to the house!pic.twitter.com/xUNw2g327e

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) September 19, 2026

On the ensuing possession for the Golden Flashes, Jamir Perez picked up a botched snap and returned it for an 11-yard scoop-and-score. Ryan Day joked that Perez had “terrible ball security,” but said, “You can see the sideline, you know. And to me, that’s what I’m looking for…the whole sideline just going out on the field and celebrating as a team.”

Luke Fahey later connected with Brock Boyd on a 39-yard deep ball, and Boyd toe-tapped it along the sideline. Both true freshmen looked more comfortable in the pocket and in space than against Ball State. Fahey appears to be Ohio State’s QB2, and while no official announcement has been made, he has seemingly put some separation between himself and Tavien St. Clair. 

While this may come as a surprise, the play on the field has certainly backed it up in the limited snaps. Fahey was trusted to operate the offense, completing 4-of-5 passes for 141 yards and the touchdown to Henry Jr. St. Clair; however, his time was cut short by an interception on his first pass attempt. He was hurried and nearly got hit as he delivered the ball. Still, the backup quarterback situation is a key area to watch.

Notes & Up Next

With Saturday’s win, Ryan Day passed Urban Meyer to become Ohio State’s fourth most-winning head coach. Day trails Woody Hayes (205), John Cooper (111), and Jim Tressel (94). The Buckeyes also own the best home win record in the FBS since 2000, going 159-17 (.903) in that span.

Ohio State opens Big Ten Conference play next week, hosting Illinois at Noon. The game will be televised on FOX and broadcast by the Big Noon Saturday crew – Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft.