Here are three things we learned from No. 7 Ohio State’s 42-19 win over Illinois on Sept. 26:
Jeremiah Smith is carrying the load
It goes without saying that Smith is the Buckeyes’ focal point, a dominant wide receiver who will finish his career as one of the school’s all-time greats.
His prowess was as unmistakable as ever on a career day against the Illini with 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns.
Smith helped to stretch the field as a vertical threat. His go route during the first quarter led to a pass from quarterback Julian Sayin, then he turned around Illinois safety Mac Resetich after the catch as he found the end zone for a 72-yard touchdown.
On two trips to the red zone, he provided a safety valve, giving Sayin a big target as the field compressed near the goal line.
And his 26-yard touchdown haul in the fourth quarter was the dagger that put the Buckeyes ahead by three scores.
Only four other Ohio State receivers have caught four touchdowns in a game.
Smith’s presence might be as important as ever to the Buckeyes this year. While Smith has been their No. 1 receiver since his arrival in 2024, he was surrounded by other proven playmakers.
The supporting cast has lagged behind during the first month of the regular season. Running back Bo Jackson, who had six 100-yard rushing games as a freshman last fall, has yet to reach that mark and ran for a season-low 53 yards on 11 carries against Illinois. Sayin’s connection with his receivers remains a work in progress as well. Smith has caught seven of his 10 touchdowns through four games.
The Buckeyes might ultimately go only as far as Smith will take them.
Julian Sayin can do more with his legs
There have been moments this year when Sayin has been a willing runner. He ran for his first career touchdown on a fourth-and-goal in the Buckeyes’ season-opening win over Ball State.
But he made some of the biggest plays with his legs against the Illini.
When the Buckeyes faced a third-and-7 early in the second quarter, he shook off two potential sacks before scrambling to pick up enough yards to move the chains.
He scrambled again on a second-and-goal late in the second quarter. As the seconds waned before halftime, Sayin never found an open target, rolled to his left and took off running for a 7-yard touchdown.
Most of his runs, a mix of scrambles and sneaks, helped the Buckeyes to move the ball at critical times. As Sayin finished with a career-high 29 rushing yards on seven carries, he picked up a first down or scored a touchdown five times.
“That’s the X-factor,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said, “and he has it. He has the quickness to do that.”
Defense is showing signs of trouble
When the Buckeyes allowed three touchdowns at Texas, blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, it was easy to chalk up the late breakdowns to a defense that was gassed.
Between the 90-degree temperatures and consecutive three-and-outs by their offense, the Buckeyes had left their defense out to wilt late in the loss.
But Illinois showed the issues were no heat mirage as it amassed 462 total yards of offense against Ohio State.
It was the first time that Matt Patricia’s defense had allowed more than 340 total yards in a game and the most the Buckeyes had surrendered since they surrendered 496 yards in a loss at Oregon in 2024.
The Buckeyes were often vulnerable to surrendering explosive plays. Though they had allowed just three plays from scrimmage of 20 yards or more through three weeks, the fewest in the Football Bowl Subdivision, they gave up eight of them to Illinois.
The big plays twice helped the Illini reach the end zone. Katin Houser, a veteran quarterback who transferred to Illinois from East Carolina, threw a 27-yard touchdown pass, and running back Jordan Anderson ran for a 22-yard score as well.
Patricia is again dealing with significant turnover on his side of the ball, having to replace eight starters for a second straight year.
But the Buckeyes uncovered difference makers a year ago with defensive end Caden Curry emerging as their sack leader and linebacker Arvell Reese becoming a Swiss Army Knife with his role rushing the passer and playing off the ball. Then there was still do-everything safety Caleb Downs.
The pieces do not look as shiny this year, and the Buckeyes will need to find answers.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 3 things we learned from Ohio State football's win over Illinois
