Freshman WR scores twice as Buckeyes pull away late | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught two touchdown passes and No. 2 Ohio State overcame a slow start to bury Akron 52-6 in both teams’ opener Saturday.

Under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Buckeyes needed almost the entire first half to start a smooth run against the outmatched Zips.

Smith dropped the first pass thrown his way on the opening drive. The Buckeyes punted, leading to an Akron field goal.

Smith redeemed himself, however, returning to make a buzzer-beating catch in the end zone for a 16-yard pass from Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard for a touchdown.

Late in the first half, the much-hyped South Florida wide receiver caught a 9-yard pass in the end zone with cornerback Devonte Golden-Nelson draped over him. That put the Buckeyes up 17-3 at the half.

A contested 45-yard catch in the third quarter set up a 2-yard score by Quinshon Judkins, the first as a Buckeye for the Ole Miss transfer.

“I just want to go out and play football and play my game,” said Smith, the top player in the 2024 recruiting class. “I know all the hype around me has been crazy. I just wanted to come in and be a (working) guy.”

Akron coach Joe Moorhead said Smith “is as advertised.”

“Just to see that kid play in person, after all the pomp and circumstance that led up to it, it was worth it,” Moorhead said.

Howard finished 17-for-28 for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Judkins picked up 55 yards on 13 carries, while TreVeyon Henderson gained 65 yards on 8 carries and James People provided 30 yards and a touchdown on 6 carries.

The Zips got field goals of 48 and 49 yards by Garrison Smith.

The Buckeyes were seven-touchdown favorites, but it didn’t look that way for most of the first half. The offensive line, especially, still seems to be a work in progress. They finally started to adjust and get rolling in the second half.

“I thought we were a little tight early on and we couldn’t play like that,” Day said.

Akron’s starting quarterback Ben Finley was rocked on the first offensive drive on a late hit by Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun. The Cal transfer was lettered for a series by backup Tahj Bullock, but looked to struggle at times afterward. He left the game for good in the third quarter with what Moorhead described as a lower-body injury. Bullock, who also lined up elsewhere on offense when Finley was in the game, had 68 yards passing, 42 yards rushing and even caught 2 passes for 4 yards. Finley was 8-of-14 for 53 yards.

Outside of Bullock’s production, Akron amassed 5 rushing yards on 21 carries. Ohio State’s defense finished with five sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

The Buckeye defense also scored two touchdowns. Senior safety Lathan Ransom recovered a fumble from Bullock and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown to give them a 31-3 lead in the third quarter, and their final score was an interception return of 29 yards by junior linebacker Gabe Powers.

Ohio State called for a moment of silence before the game for Johnny Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets star who died along with his brother in a bicycle accident Thursday night.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, right, catches a pass in front of Akron defensive back Daymon David, left, during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, right, argues with a referee during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Akron, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka, right, stiff-arms Akron defensive back Darrian Lewis during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard tries to throw a pass against Akron during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Ohio State’s two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin scores the Ohio Script I during halftime of an NCAA college football game against Akron, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs celebrates sacking an Akron quarterback during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Ohio State defensive back Denzel Burke celebrates his interception against Akron during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, right, is tackled by Akron defensive back Joey Hunter during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Akron quarterback Ben Finley drops back to pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)