Jeremiah Smith makes Big Ten history against USC, breaking the career receiving touchdowns record as Ohio State’s star receiver continues his record-setting career.
LOS ANGELES — Jeremiah Smith added another milestone to his Ohio State career Saturday night, becoming the Big Ten’s all-time leader in career receiving touchdowns with his 40th touchdown catch against USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Smith entered the matchup tied with former Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards at 39 career touchdown receptions. His record-breaking score gave him sole possession of a conference record that had stood since Edwards finished his career in 2004.
The touchdown marked another milestone for a receiver who has spent three seasons rewriting Ohio State’s record book. Smith already owns the program’s career records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He can now add the Big Ten’s career touchdown receptions record to that list.
THE BIG TEN HAS A NEW TOUCHDOWN KING. 👑 Jeremiah Smith’s 40th career TD, the most in Big Ten history!
📺 Ohio State at USC on NBC and Peacock https://t.co/oVIdHbCh8M
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 1, 2026
How Jeremiah Smith Broke the Big Ten Record
Smith’s record-breaking reception came late in the fourth quarter on second down when Luke Fahey connected with Smith for a 1-yard touchdown, giving the Ohio State receiver his 40th career scoring catch.
The play moved Smith past Edwards, who caught 39 touchdown passes at Michigan from 2001 through 2004. Smith had matched Edwards’ total the previous game against Indiana, catching a 38-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one in Ohio State’s 19-15 victory.
Against the Hoosiers, Smith finished with four receptions for 68 yards and the touchdown that put him level with Edwards. Smith’s performance against USC added another chapter to a career defined by production at critical moments.
Jeremiah Smith’s Career So Far at Ohio State
Smith entered the USC game with 215 career receptions, 3,542 yards, and 39 touchdown catches. Those totals made him Ohio State’s all-time leader in each of the three major receiving categories.
The junior has continued to build on a record-setting start to his college career. As a freshman in 2024, Smith caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He followed that with 87 receptions for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025.
Through seven games in 2026, Smith had recorded 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. His production included a four-touchdown performance against Illinois on Sept. 26, when he caught 12 passes for a career-high 217 yards in a 49-19 Ohio State victory.
Smith also recorded 11 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa on Oct. 3. That performance gave him Ohio State’s career receiving touchdowns record, surpassing Chris Olave’s previous mark of 35, while also moving him past Emeka Egbuka for the program’s career receptions record.
His latest milestone extends that production beyond Columbus and into the Big Ten record book.
Smith Remains Ohio State’s Offensive Focal Point
Smith’s record chase has coincided with a significant change at quarterback for Ohio State. Julian Sayin suffered an injury against Indiana and has been ruled out indefinitely. True freshman Luke Fahey was expected to start against USC, leaving Ohio State to adjust its offense while continuing to rely on Smith as its primary receiving threat.
Smith’s performance against Indiana demonstrated the value of his ability to win contested catches. Despite sustained attention from the Hoosiers’ defense, he made the decisive reception on fourth-and-one, turning a difficult offensive situation into a touchdown.
Earlier this week, Ryan Day praised Smith’s ability to make plays and explained how he would help new quarterback Luke Fahey acclimate to the position.
“Jeremiah is a tremendous talent, and he can adjust quickly,” Day said. “And the good thing about he and Luke is, you just gotta get it somewhere in the neighborhood of No. 4, and he’s gonna pull it down.”
What Jeremiah Smith’s Record Means for Ohio State
Smith’s place in the Big Ten record book adds another distinction to a career that has already placed him among Ohio State’s most productive receivers.
The conference has featured standout receivers across multiple eras, including Edwards, Anthony Carter, James Hardy and Olave. Smith has now surpassed that group in career touchdown receptions while continuing to add to his receiving yards and catch totals.
His accomplishment also comes as the Buckeyes navigate the second half of their season and a difficult road test against USC. Smith’s 40th career touchdown catch gave him the Big Ten record outright.
For Ohio State, the record is another measure of Smith’s production. For the Big Ten, it marks a new standard for career receiving touchdowns.
Blake Biscardi serves as Co-Founder, Lead Reporter, and Senior Editor of The Silver Bulletin. He hosts the Buckeye Cadence podcast, where he breaks down Ohio State football and basketball with an inside look into the programs. Covering Julian Sayin in New York City in 2025 was his Heisman moment, which became a viral moment in its own right. Biscardi is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and has degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Communication & Leadership.
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