Ohio State Beats Illinois 42-19 as Jeremiah Smith Takes a Step Forward in His Heisman Campaign.

Ohio State won its game over Illinois Saturday, Sept. 26, 42-19. However, the Buckeyes were not impressive. The theory was the Texas heat, after the worst fourth-quarter collapse in program history. It was not, as they had similar trouble in the second half at home.

Jeremiah Smith, however, had a monster game. He further burnished his Heisman Trophy resume. He had three touchdown receptions and more than 100 receiving yards all in the first half. Usually, the Heisman Trophy in college football goes to a quarterback. Do you think a wide receiver, like Smith, has a chance to win it?

Ohio State Against Illinois Game Summary September 26

Ohio State was thinking it could easily defeat Illinois. However, the Fighting Illini proved to be a tougher opponent than one might expect given the large 25.5-point Ohio State betting odds favorite at kickoff. Ohio State was able to pull away in the second half, mostly because they have an all-time great at wide receiver. Illinois had an effective day on offense. They had 462 yards (the most Ohio State has given up since facing Oregon in 2024), with Aiden Laughery running for 113. Here is how the game played out.

In the first quarter, Ohio State scored 14 points as Jeremiah Smith caught two touchdown passes. The first one was a seven-yard reception. The second one was a 72-yard bomb.

Illinois managed to score some points in the first quarter. The final scoring of the quarter was the Fighting Illini getting a 22-yard touchdown run from Jordan Anderson. The score was 14-7. Ohio State then got a touchdown from that man again. Jeremiah Smith caught a 9-yard pass. Illinois kicked a 43-yard field goal from Ethan Moczulski. Julian Sayin, for Ohio State, then ran for a 7-yard touchdown. The halftime score was 28-10.

In the third quarter, there was only a 44-yard field goal from Ethan Moczulski. The quarter ended with Ohio State having a 28-13 lead. The game was closer than expected at this point. In this quarter, the Buckeyes struggled on offense. Illinois, on the other hand, ran 13 plays and controlled the clock. The Ohio State defense had trouble getting off the field, grew tired, and was in need of a long offensive drive.

In the fourth quarter, Jeremiah Smith caught his fourth touchdown of the game, this one for 26 yards. That made the score 35-13. Ty Robinson then caught a 27-yard touchdown. The score was 35-19. Then, Ohio State drove it right down the field. Ja’Kobi Jackson scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. With a successful extra point, the score was 42-19.

Jeremiah Smith Has an Awesome Game

Jeremiah Smith, the Buckeye wide receiver, had a statement game to vault into the discussion as the best player in college football, maybe ever. In this game, he had 12 receptions, 4 touchdowns, and 217 receiving yards. He is so good that he overshadows the other weapons the Buckeyes have on offense. Watch out for him in the Heisman Trophy discussion, even though he is not a quarterback.

What’s Next

The Buckeyes won this game 42-19. Jeremiah Smith was the player of the game. Ohio State next plays Iowa at 3:30 next Saturday. Illinois plays against Purdue at home. Big Ten Conference play has already started.

Victory Bell

Ohio State honored linebackers coach James Laurinaitis during the game. He rang the victory bell and was honored for his 2026 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. The Buckeyes should get a much stiffer test at Iowa next week, which upset Michigan today.