COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — One Ohio State milestone down, two to go for Jeremiah Smith.
The superstar junior set Ohio State's career receiving yardage record in just 33 games during Saturday's 59-3 victory over Kent State. After taking over the top spot from Michael Jenkins, Smith was already focused on what's next.
“It means a lot. Put a lot of hard work into it. But I have two more to get," Smith said after having five receptions for 85 yards and not playing in the second half. “I didn’t think too much about records and stuff like that. But the opportunity presented itself and I just took full advantage.”
Smith goes into the Big Ten opener against Illinois on Saturday with 179 receptions for 2,958 yards and 30 touchdowns. He needs 27 catches to surpass Emeka Egbuka's 205 and six touchdowns to move past Chris Olave's 35.
Smith became the school's career receiving yardage leader in just 33 games with a 23-yard reception during the first quarter. Jenkins had 2,898 yards in 41 games from 2000-03.
Jenkins congratulated Smith in a recorded message shown on Ohio State's videoboard during a media timeout after the record was set.
“It’s hard to put anybody above him. Thirty-three games to break the all-time receiving record at Ohio State. I think that speaks more than anything to him and his mindset," coach Ryan Day said.
Smith also needs 42 yards to become the first Ohio State receiver and the 13th in Big Ten history to reach 3,000 yards. Purdue's John Standeford holds the conference mark with 3,788 yards, which has stood since 2003.
Smith has 21 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns in No. 7 Ohio State's first three games. He played only the first half in the wins over Ball State and Kent State.
That doesn't figure to be the case the rest of the season, especially with the Buckeyes (2-1) having road games next month against No. 17 Iowa, fifth-ranked Indiana and No. 12 Southern California.
“I think we're pretty good where we are. We've got a long way to go. Always room for improvement for myself and the offense,” Smith said.
When it comes to individual accolades, Smith's focus remains on trying to become the first wide receiver since Alabama's Devonta Smith in 2020 to win the Heisman.
However, Miami's Malachi Toney is also catching the interest of voters. The sophomore is second in the nation in receptions (28) and receiving yards (444).
“Malachi is going off week in, week out. For the competition, I see him go off, so I’m trying to have a good game as well," Smith said. "I mean, we're both from Dade County, so always trying to have a little competition here and there.”
Even though the conference yardage mark could be within reach, the other two are not. Purdue's Taylor Stubblefield has the Big Ten mark of 325 receptions and Braylon Edwards had 39 touchdown catches in his three years at Michigan.
“The work he puts in day in and day out is like no receiver I’ve ever seen in my life,” wide receiver Brandon Inniss said. “If you have the mindset and work ethic and the drive he does, I mean, you see what you can do along with the physical traits, obviously.”
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