Columbus, Ohio – In a game that highlighted the Buckeyes’ offensive firepower, junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith became the Big Ten’s all‑time leading receiver. Smith finished with 11 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown as Ohio State defeated Northwestern 28‑19 on Saturday.

Record‑breaking milestone

Smith’s career total now stands at 3,875 receiving yards, surpassing Purdue legend John Standeford’s previous mark of 3,788 yards. The milestone was reached in the second quarter, cementing Smith’s place in conference history after just three seasons of play.

Impact on the season

While the Buckeyes have fallen out of the College Football Playoff bracket, Smith’s performance kept Ohio State in the national conversation. His 15 touchdowns this season lead all of the Football Bowl Subdivision, and he remains a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, following a sixth‑place finish in the vote last year.

Smith also tied Purdue’s David Bell and Michigan’s Braylon Edwards with his 17th career 100‑yard game, a testament to his consistency and big‑play ability. He led the Big Ten in both receptions and receiving yards last season, and he continues to dominate the conference’s passing game.

Supporting the offense

Backup quarterback Luke Frahey threw for 201 yards on Saturday, more than half of which came from Smith’s catches. The Buckeyes will face Nebraska and Michigan to close out the regular season, with Smith expected to remain a central figure in the offense.

Ohio State’s tradition of elite receivers

Smith joins a distinguished line of Ohio State alumni who have excelled at the next level, including Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith‑Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and Marvin Harrison Jr. His continued production reinforces the program’s reputation for developing NFL‑ready talent.

As the Buckeyes look ahead to the final stretch of the season, Smith’s record‑setting achievement provides both a morale boost for the team and a compelling storyline for fans across the state.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.