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Jeremiah Smith celebrated his 20th birthday in epic fashion Saturday with a huge touchdown against Michigan in Ohio State’s 27-9 victory, but it didn’t come without controversy.
Smith’s 35-yard touchdown and PAT in the second quarter put Ohio State up 10-3, but he appeared to fumble the ball near the goal line.
It was never entirely clear whether Smith lost possession before crossing the pylon, but it was clear that he did not regain it until he had stepped out of bounds beyond it.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a touchdown pass in front of Michigan Wolverines defensive back Zeke Berry (10) at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Nov. 29, 2025. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
A fumble by the offense that goes out of bounds in the end zone results in a touchback. Officials reviewed it, but the call was upheld, leading to an outcry on social media.
Maybe the touchdown didn’t mean much since Michigan couldn’t find the end zone all day, but it was a definite turning point in the game.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a pass against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half at Michigan Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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Michigan kicked another field goal after Smith’s score, but the Buckeyes marched down the field again to end the first half with a touchdown by Brandon Innis to go up by eight points. Snow then began to fall, and it seemed to play right into Ohio State’s hands.
Ohio State and Michigan traded punts to begin the second half, but Michigan’s was just an 11-yarder that gave OSU great field position. On just the second play of the drive, Carnell Tate, playing in his first game since Nov. 1, scored a 50-yard touchdown to put his team up 24-9.
It had been since 2019 that Ohio State last beat Michigan, and last year’s loss in Columbus as three-touchdown favorites was the biggest upset in the history of the rivalry. Michigan players planted their flag at midfield in Columbus, leading to a brawl. It was certainly all bulletin board material for the Buckeyes to remember for nearly 365 days.
The Ohio State Buckeyes mascot takes the field before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. (Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)
Ohio State and Indiana, the top two ranked teams in the nation and both 12-0, will now meet in next week’s Big Ten Championship.
