Ohio State stat of the game: 151

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151.

That is the number that stands out most from Ohio State’s 56-3 demolition of Ball State. It is the number of receiving yards Jeremiah Smith produced in just one half of football, along with eight catches and two touchdowns.

Perhaps the most impressive part? Smith did not even need the second half. With Ohio State comfortably ahead and Texas waiting in Week 2, Ryan Day elected to hold his star receiver out after halftime.

Smith had already done more than enough, turning the season opener into something resembling a Heisman campaign commercial. Day said Smith understood the decision and was happy to let younger players get their opportunities.

Of course, one dominant half against Ball State does not win a Heisman Trophy, but 151 yards is an awfully good way to start the conversation.

Smith entered the season with an almost absurd resume already. Over his first two seasons, the 6-foot-4, 222-pound junior had accumulated 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns, becoming the first Big Ten receiver to reach those numbers through two seasons.

He has also produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, something only three receivers in Ohio State history have accomplished.

Now, after Saturday, those numbers sit at 171 receptions, 2,709 yards and 29 touchdowns. That puts Smith just 35 receptions, 190 yards and seven touchdowns away from becoming Ohio State’s all-time leader in all three major receiving categories.

Michael Jenkins currently owns the yardage record with 2,898, Emeka Egbuka holds the receptions record with 205, and Chris Olave owns the touchdown record with 35.

The fact that Smith could realistically break all three records during the first half of his junior season is remarkable. But the bigger question is whether he can turn that historic start into a Heisman Trophy.

The road to New York starts in Austin

There is no better way for Smith to prove that he belongs in the Heisman conversation than what comes next.

Ohio State travels to Texas in Week 2 for a rematch of last season’s 14-7 Buckeye victory. The Longhorns are coming off a 59-7 win over Texas State, with Arch Manning throwing for 305 yards and four touchdowns.

This time, the Buckeyes will be facing a much more experienced quarterback and a Texas team with legitimate national championship aspirations.

That makes Smith’s role even more important. Ohio State has the best player in the country, a returning Heisman finalist at quarterback in Julian Sayin and a deep collection of weapons around them.

Sayin threw for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2025 while completing 77 percent of his passes, and Smith was a unanimous All-American after producing 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

That combination could create the perfect environment for Smith. He does not need 150 yards every Saturday. He needs consistency, production in big games and a season that makes it impossible for voters to overlook him simply because he plays wide receiver.

The challenge is significant. The last wide receiver to win the Heisman was Alabama’s DeVonta Smith in 2020. Quarterbacks have dominated the award since then, meaning Smith will need more than spectacular numbers against lesser opponents.

He will need moments against Texas, Oregon, Michigan, Indiana and the rest of Ohio State’s loaded schedule.

Still, the opening statement could hardly have been better. 151 yards. Two touchdowns. One half. Only 35 catches, 190 yards and seven touchdowns separating Jeremiah Smith from becoming Ohio State’s career leader in every major receiving category.

The chase for Buckeye history, and potentially the Heisman Trophy, is officially underway.

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