Jeremiah Smith ties Big Ten receiving touchdown record in Ohio State win

Jeremiah Smith tied the Big Ten career receiving touchdown record on October 17 with a 38-yard catch in Ohio State’s 19-15 road win over Indiana. The score brought the Ohio State receiver level with former Michigan player Braylon Edwards at 39, The Sporting News reported. It leaves Smith one receiving touchdown from holding the conference mark outright.

How Smith reached 39 Big Ten touchdowns

Smith caught a pass from quarterback Julian Sayin after racing into the end zone, leaping to secure it on fourth down, according to The Sporting News. The report said Smith reached 39 career receiving touchdowns in 35 games; Edwards reached that total in 44 games. Edwards played for Michigan from 2001 to 2004.

Ohio State’s win and Sayin’s injury

CBS Sports reported that No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 5 Indiana on the road to improve to 6-1. Smith finished the game with four catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. CBS put his season totals after the game at 52 catches, 984 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Sayin left late in the fourth quarter after taking a hit and later returned wearing a sling on his right arm, CBS Sports reported. Ohio State coach Ryan Day told reporters afterward that the quarterback would miss ‘several weeks’. Day did not specify the injury, according to CBS.

Freshman backup Luke Fahey went 0-for-2 passing after Sayin left, CBS Sports reported. The outlet also listed sophomore quarterbacks Tavien St. Clair and Kolton Stover on Ohio State’s roster. Sayin’s absence puts the team’s quarterback plans in focus as Smith approaches sole possession of the receiving touchdown record.

Ohio State has a bye next week before visiting No. 19 USC on October 31, according to CBS Sports. Home games against Oregon and No. 25 Northwestern follow. Those fixtures give the Buckeyes their next opportunities to play, while Day’s estimate leaves Sayin’s return date uncertain.