The receiver more than doubled his season touchdown count as the Buckeyes opened Big Ten play with a 42-19 victory.
No. 7 Ohio State defeated Illinois 42-19 on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, led by four touchdown catches from wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Smith came into the Big Ten opener with 21 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns across Ohio State’s first three games. He more than doubled his season touchdown mark against the Fighting Illini, scoring on plays that included a 72-yard bomb and an acrobatic toe-tap catch in the end zone.
Accounts differed on whether the four touchdowns established or matched a school benchmark. Reporter Joe Reedy wrote that Smith tied an Ohio State record with four touchdown catches, while The Big Lead reported that Smith set a new program record.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema deferred after winning the coin toss. Illinois trimmed Ohio State’s lead to 21-10 with 1:32 left in the second quarter when Ethan Moczulski kicked a 43-yard field goal, ending an eight-play, 50-yard drive that took 2:40. Illini quarterback Katin Houser had missed an open Brayden Trimble earlier on that possession.
Illinois entered the game with six players listed as doubtful, questionable or probable, while defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck called slowing down Ohio State a daunting task. The loss was the 11th consecutive defeat for Illinois against the Buckeyes.
Ohio State entered the matchup following a 59-3 victory over Kent State. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day had challenged receivers other than Smith to produce before kickoff, while quarterback Julian Sayin came into the contest completing more than 70 percent of his throws.
