Ryan Day Addresses Jeremiah Smith's Early Exit from Ohio State's Week 1 Win

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith dominated the Buckeyes' opener but spent the entire second half watching from the sideline.

by Antonio G Losada

Sep 6, 2026

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin McCuin (3) celebrates with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) after Smith scored a touchdown.

Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch

Jeremiah Smith needed only one half to remind college football what he can do, racking up 151 receiving yards and two touchdowns in No. 1 Ohio State’s season-opening 56-3 victory over Ball State.

Smith, same as QB Julian Sayin — who finished the opener with 320 passing yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score — did not play after halftime.

Shortly after the game, head coach Ryan Day said he opted to rest the Buckeyes star receiver after the team had built a comfortable advantage and also because of the Week 2 showdown at No. 5 Texas.

“The minute we [left] the locker room, it’s on to Texas,” Day told reporters after the victory. “There’ll be times we enjoy [wins] through the night. Not this one.”

Added Day: “The game plan was suited to make sure (Smith) touched the ball, and he did a great job of making some plays… We decided to hold him in the second half because he understands that we’ve got a monster game here coming up.”

Smith’s eight receptions turned into 151 yards, with all of his production coming before the break. His first touchdown was a 48-yard reception that he pinned against his helmet before maintaining control and reaching the end zone.

He added a three-yard touchdown shortly before halftime, capping a two-minute drive in which quarterback Julian Sayin connected with Smith five times for 74 yards. Smith celebrated his second score by striking the Heisman Trophy pose, mimicking Miami’s Malachi Toney’s actions from a day earlier.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches the ball.

Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch

With Ohio State in control against Ball State, the Buckeyes found no reason to expose Smith to additional snaps in the second half given next week’s opponent. Day made clear how seriously Ohio State views the game against No. 5 Texas.

“They have really good talent across the board,” Day said. “So going down there is something that we’ve obviously been working towards all summer and looking forward to. They have a great program and a great team, so it’s going to be a great environment. But this is what we’re going to have to do this year. When you look at our schedule, we’re going to have to be able to go on the road and win games like this.

“So our preseason, our off-season was all designed around this. So it’s here. Time to go prepare for these guys.”

Ohio State now travels to face No. 5 Texas in Week 2, with the game scheduled for Sept 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET.