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    • Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith praised by CFB fans in OSU’s win over Purdue | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours
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    Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith praised by CFB fans in OSU’s win over Purdue | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours

    Online Niel Posted on

    COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 09: Jeremiah Smith no. 4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a catch in the first quarter of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

    Ben Jackson/Getty Images

    The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes took another big step toward the College Football Playoff on Saturday, dismantling the Purdue Boilermakers 45-0 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

    The combination of senior quarterback Will Howard and freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith led the day for OSU as Howard went 21 of 26 for 260 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, plus a rushing touchdown, while Smith finished with six receptions for 87. yards and a touchdown.

    Having already set the Ohio State single-season record for receptions and receiving yards by a freshman, Smith passed Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter for most receiving touchdowns by a freshman on Saturday real OSU, with nine:

    Smith has already established himself as one of college football’s best and most electric players at the age of 18, and he heaped praise on social media Saturday:

    Mecca Don @MekkaDonMusic

    I swear Jeremiah Smith is a 10 year NFL vet playing his first year of college football

    AthletesInSpace @AthletesInSpace

    It never ceases to blow my mind how Jeremiah Smith is a combination of every great OSU wide receiver in the last 25 years

    Tyvis Powell @1 Tyvis

    There are only 3 things that are guaranteed in life, Death, Taxes and JEREMIAH SMITH SCORES A TD!! #GoBucks

    Bri @brie_alyssa

    jeremiah smith is inevitable

    Sam Block @theblockspot

    Jeremiah Smith is an 18 year old Ja’Marr Chase.
    Just ridiculous in the open field.

    Ohio State head coach Ryan Day made a huge splash in the transfer window during the offseason, but perhaps there was no bigger arrival than Howard, who replaced Kyle McCord as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback.

    Howard had 27 games of starting experience at Kansas State and was thought to be the perfect player to orchestrate an offense filled with elite talent.

    While Howard wasn’t perfect, nor is he strong in the Heisman Trophy conversation with Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, he limited mistakes and operated the offense efficiently.

    Entering Saturday’s game, Howard had completed 73.2 percent of his passes for 1,977 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 115 yards and five scores.

    He added to those numbers against Purdue, rushing for a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter, followed by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Gee Scott Jr. and a 17-yard strike to Smith in the second quarter:

    Howard added his fourth and final total touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard pass to Emeka Egbuka, extending the lead to 45–0:

    Fans have criticized Howard at times this season, but he got plenty of props for his play Saturday:

    Grant Puskar @grant_puskar_

    I know a lot of fans aren’t crazy about him, but I’m a big Will Howard guy.
    Yeah, they probably wouldn’t win a Natty because of him, but they can beat anyone and win a Natty WITH him.

    DIRTYDAN @iambrian__

    Will Howard has put Ohio State on his back the last 2 weeks

    Mr. Nell @AceRozaay

    Will Howard blocked

    T. @They Know You

    Will Howard is a player

    With Purdue coming into the game with just one win on the season, Ohio State was expected to take care of business, and the win was never in doubt.

    While Howard and Smith led the way, Day’s side came through with a complete team effort in victory.

    Running back TreVeyon Henderson was as dynamic as ever, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on six carries. OSU’s defense also held Purdue to 206 total yards and forced two turnovers, and Ohio State even excelled on special teams, blocking a field goal in the first quarter.

    Ohio State improved to 8-1 with the win and further solidified its status as the No. 2 in the country, his only loss coming against no. 1 Oregon.

    However, because that loss was in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes are not currently lined up to play in the Big Ten Championship Game, which would prevent them from earning a first-round bye in the CFP.

    OSU will again be heavily favored on the road next week against Northwestern before facing undefeated Indiana the following week and then battling rival Michigan to close out the regular season.

    Should the Buckeyes win, a rematch with Oregon could take place in the Big Ten title game.

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