Jeremiah Smith Shines in Ohio State’s Season-Opening Victory Over Akron

Ohio State kicked off its 2024 season with a 52-6 victory over the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium, but the win didn’t come as easily as many expected. The Buckeyes, ranked No. 2 in the nation, were favored by a whopping 48.5 points but struggled early before pulling away in the second half.

Slow Start, Strong Finish

The game began sluggishly for Ohio State. After a quick three-and-out on their opening drive, Akron took advantage of an early mistake by the Buckeyes, driving deep into Ohio State territory. A botched snap and a sack by J.T. Tuimoloau ultimately forced the Zips to settle for a 48-yard field goal, giving them a 3-0 lead and temporarily stunning the Ohio Stadium crowd of 102,011.

Ohio State responded with a 75-yard drive capped by a 16-yard touchdown catch from freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, who was making his highly anticipated debut. Smith, who came into the season with sky-high expectations as the nation’s No. 1 recruit, shook off early jitters—including a dropped pass and a false start—to haul in two touchdown passes and rack up 92 yards on six receptions.

The Buckeyes’ offense, led by Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard, found their rhythm in the second half. Howard finished the game with 228 yards and three touchdowns, including a 34-yard strike to Carnell Tate that extended the lead to 45-6 early in the fourth quarter.

Dominant Defense

Ohio State’s defense was the real star of the show, allowing just six points and contributing two defensive touchdowns. Safety Lathan Ransom returned a fumble forced by Caden Curry for a touchdown, and linebacker Gabe Powers capped the day with a 29-yard interception return for another score. Denzel Burke added a key interception in the first half, helping to keep Akron’s offense in check.

The Buckeyes also showed depth across the defensive line and linebacker positions, with C.J. Hicks making his first start at linebacker and Caleb Downs at safety. Tuimoloau led the charge with 1.5 sacks, as Ohio State’s defense tallied five sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

High Hopes for the Season

Despite the early hiccups, Ohio State’s performance in the second half showed the potential of a team with championship aspirations. Head coach Ryan Day, entering his sixth season, acknowledged the slow start but was encouraged by the way his team settled down after halftime.

“It’s a start,” Day said. “We had some jitters early on, but we got into a rhythm in the second half. There’s still a lot to clean up, but it’s good to get the first win under our belts.”

The game also marked a historic moment for the Buckeyes, as two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin dotted the ‘i’ in Script Ohio at halftime, becoming just the 17th honorary i-dotter ever. The season opener also included a pregame moment of silence in memory of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who tragically passed away days before the game.

Looking Ahead

As Ohio State moves forward in the season, the expectations remain sky-high. With Jeremiah Smith emerging as a key playmaker and the defense showing its strength, the Buckeyes are poised for a potential run at the national championship. However, as Saturday’s game showed, there are still areas to improve, especially in starting fast and avoiding early mistakes.

But for now, Ohio State fans can take solace in a dominant win to start the season and the promise of what’s to come. The Buckeyes will look to build on this performance as they continue their quest to bring championship gold back to Columbus.