Freshman Jeremiah Smith showcased his skills with two touchdown catches as No. 2 Ohio State dominated Akron 52-6 in their season opener on Saturday.
Under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Buckeyes struggled initially to find their rhythm against the Zips, who were clearly outmatched.
Smith’s first target ended in disappointment as he dropped the opening pass, leading to a Buckeyes punt and an early field goal for Akron.
However, he quickly redeemed himself with a remarkable 16-yard touchdown catch from Will Howard, the Kansas State transfer quarterback, demonstrating his ability to bounce back.
In a crucial moment late in the first half, Smith displayed his talent by catching a 9-yard pass in the end zone, despite tight coverage from cornerback Devonte Golden-Nelson, extending the Buckeyes’ lead to 17-3 at halftime.
A spectacular 45-yard contested catch in the third quarter set the stage for Quinshon Judkins, the Ole Miss transfer, to score on a 2-yard run, marking his first touchdown as a Buckeye.
Will Howard completed the game with an impressive 17 completions on 28 attempts, totaling 228 yards and three touchdowns.
On the other side, Akron managed to score with field goals of 48 and 49 yards from Garrison Smith.
Key takeaway
Despite being favored by seven touchdowns, the Buckeyes did not exhibit their full potential for much of the first half. The offensive line’s performance appeared to need improvement, but they found their stride and began to dominate in the latter part of the game.
Up next
Akron: Faces Rutgers next Saturday.
Ohio State: Hosts Western Michigan next Saturday.
