Beyond the Box Score: What stood out besides Jeremiah Smith in Ohio State’s 42-19 win over Illinois
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Midway through the second quarter, the Buckeyes faced a 3rd-and-7 from their own 34-yard line, leading Illinois 14-7. The Fighting Illini brought pressure, and multiple players got to quarterback Julian Sayin… except they couldn’t bring him down.
Sayin escaped multiple would-be sacks, then left the pocket to the right side of the field. Rather than try to force a throw downfield, Sayin pulled the ball down and galloped eight yards for a first down to keep the drive alive.
On the FOX broadcast, Gus Johnson called the play rugged. Joel Klatt added that the the crowd’s excitement came because they finally saw Sayin use his legs in a crucial spot. We’re not used to seeing that from Sayin.
Sayin’s legs were a key component in the second quarter when Ohio State broke the game open. Sayin rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
Look, we’re not going to measure Sayin by his rushing. However, if he can add 29 yards on the ground per game, that’s a really solid floor. That’s almost three first downs per game Sayin can get with his legs, keeping the offense on the field and giving them more shots downfield with Jeremiah Smith.
After Sayin’s first down rush, he found Smith for a one-handed catch in the end zone for his third touchdown of the first half. On the Buckeyes’ final drive of the first half, Sayin carried the ball the final seven yards and dove to the far front pylon for a touchdown and a 28-10 halftime lead.
Speaking of rushing the football, Ohio State had a good day on the ground. The Buckeyes rushed for 151 yards on 32 carries. Ja’Kobi Jackson rushed for 56 yards on 10 carries to lead the team in rushing yards, with Bo Jackson rushing for 53 yards on 11 carries.
They both didn’t have to be prolific. They just had to be effective, and they were.
Ohio State may have unlocked that they can have a two-man committee leading their running game, which is actually good. Remember, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins were that tandem en route to the Buckeyes winning the national championship in 2024. Ja’kobi and Bo Jackson could be that tandem in 2026, giving Ohio State two primary running backs to attack opposing defenses.
Bo averaged 4.8 yards per carry against Illinois, while Ja’kobi averaged 5.6. Having two primary running backs can change the offensive pace and keep opposing defenses on their heels, something the Buckeyes couldn’t do in the running game last year.
This year, they may be able to. Ohio State’s running game may be gradually getting unlocked with two primary running backs.
Speaking of two, Gus and Joel mentioned at the top of the broadcast that the Buckeyes were still searching for their Robin to their Batman. Who will be that WR2 behind Jeremiah Smith? Interestingly, the Buckeyes got 297 receiving yards from players not named Jeremiah Smith against Kent State.
Three players — Brandon Inniss, Chris Henry Jr., and Brock Boyd — all had over 50 receiving yards, with Henry hauling in a 75-yard touchdown for his only catch of the game. Inniss and tight end Nate Roberts also hauled in touchdowns in that game.
Against Illinois, Smith was the head-and-shoulders headliner. No other Ohio State wide receiver had more than four receptions or 36 receiving yards.
There will be other days when Smith is just ridiculous, and that’s great. But Iowa, Ohio State’s opponent on Saturday, is a well-coached team and will throw the kitchen sink at keeping Smith from beating them. In that instance, who else on Ohio State is going to step up?
There doesn’t have to be one particular player, though. Again, three players had over 50 receiving yards against Kent State. Yes, it’s Kent State. But this is a game where the Buckeyes need a guy like Brandon Inniss to step up and get those underneath yards and Devin McCuin to make those timely catches.
Speaking of Jeremiah Smith, if you take away his four touchdowns, he still had eight receptions for 103 yards against Illinois. That’s almost 13 yards per reception. Just when you think you know how great he is, he takes it to another level. That’s not just the sign of a great player; it’s the sign of a generationally great player.
Let’s shift to the defense. They only allowed 19 points against the Illini, which is good. But the Buckeyes allowed 468 yards, including 199 rushing yards. Illinois averaged six yards per carry and 6.5 yards per play. Aidan Laughery led the Fighting Illini with 113 rushing yards on 11 carries, while Ca’lil Valentine rushed for 47 yards on 10 carries.
Illinois got to the edge in the running game on many plays, or gashed Ohio State’s defensive line by slashing through an open gap. The Buckeyes’ defense raised some concerns, especially against the run.
One area I’m not worried about is the secondary. Jaylen McClain, Devin Sanchez Jr., and Jermaine Mathews Jr. combined for nine pass breakups and 22 tackles. All three were spectacular, and it’s great to see them all stepping up in their first season post-Caleb Downs.
On special teams, I’m wondering how much the Buckeyes believe in kicker Connor Hawkins. On the drive with Sayin’s third-down rush, the Buckeyes faced a 4th-and-7 on the Illinois 31-yard line. Rather than send Hawkins out for a 49-yard field goal, the Buckeyes went for it.
They converted and later scored on Smith’s one-handed catch, but it is worth wondering how much confidence they have in Hawkins. He’s 4-for-5 on the season in field goals and 23-of-23 on extra points, and he made a 48-yard field goal at Texas.
Granted, he also missed a kick late in that game. Still, pay attention to situations like Saturday and how much the Buckeyes believe in Hawkins.
Ohio State had a lot to like in their Big Ten opener. There are also multiple areas where the Buckeyes can be better. Those are both good things to have coming out of the first Big Ten game, with a stiff test at Iowa ahead in Week 5.
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