Jeremiah Smith tied Cris Carter’s Ohio State record for most touchdown receptions by a freshman on Saturday when he reeled in his eighth scoring grab of the season in the first half of the No. 4 Buckeyes’ 21-17 win over Nebraska. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard hit Smith on a deep ball covering 60 yards as the Buckeyes surged ahead 14-3 with 8:21 remaining in the first half.
Tying Carter’s mark, which has stood since 1984, was a goal for Smith, who entered the season as 247Sports’ No. 1-ranked overall player in the Class of 2024.
“I’ve seen a lot of people talk about that so that’s one that’s been in the back of my mind, for sure,” Smith told CBS Sports’ Jenny Dell this month.
Carter went on to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer after a 16-year NFL career. He made 150 receptions, including 26 touchdown grabs, over his three-year Ohio State career from 1984-86.
Smith entered Saturday’s game with 32 receptions for 553 yards and two rushes for 33 yards with another score. He’s made at least one touchdown grab in every game for the Buckeyes while going toe-to-toe with Alabama’s Ryan Williams for the distinction of top freshman receiver in college football.
The touchdown against Nebraska also made Smith the first freshman at the FBS level to make a touchdown grab in each of his first seven games since Sidney Rice did it for South Carolina in 2005. He finished with three receptions for 70 yards as the Buckeyes squeaked out a narrow victory over the Cornhuskers.
