Ohio State’s sometimes forgotten X-factor showed that he can help the Buckeyes win a National Championship in win over Texas
Ohio State knew that Texas was going to have some sort of focus on slowing down star freshman Jeremiah Smith. After four touchdowns through the first two College Football Playoff matchups for the Buckeyes, Smith was a point of emphasis for Texas in a big way on Friday night. Ohio State still found a way […]
Ohio State knew that Texas was going to have some sort of focus on slowing down star freshman Jeremiah Smith.
After four touchdowns through the first two College Football Playoff matchups for the Buckeyes, Smith was a point of emphasis for Texas in a big way on Friday night.
Ohio State still found a way to grab a 28-14 win over Texas but had to do so without much production from their star freshman.
“The two rounds of the playoffs, I mean, he went off. So, you know, we knew that they were going to do something to try and take him away,” Ohio State QB Will Howard said after the game. “And they were, you know, they clouded him, they doubled him. They were finding different ways to, you know, to get two guys over, over top of them. But you know, all that means is that we need to be smart and get the ball to other guys.”
Other guys stepped up, specifically sophomore WR Carnell Tate, who was the leading receiver for the Buckeyes. Tate caught seven passes for 87 yards against the Longhorns. Smith finished with just one catch for three yards, but the attention that he was able to draw made a big difference.
“I think Carnell stepped up and made some great plays. You know, the running backs did a great job. Tight ends had some great catches. And, I think Texas, you know what they do on defense. They like to keep the shell on things, make you work the game, and get the ball down the field methodically,” Howard explained.
Tate is third on the team in receiving and is now up to 698 receiving yards and four touchdowns on the season. Emeka Egbuka made five catches for 51 yards against Texas and was the consistent threat that he always is. With Egbuka off to the NFL after this season, Tate is primed to be the No. 2 option next to Smith next season.
The game against Texas showed that the Ohio State offense can still get it done even if you try to take away their star freshman. Ohio State got the job done against a good Texas defense and their last task to beat to get to raise a National Championship trophy is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Jan. 20.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers makes honest admission about Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer’s game-ending play
A big play in the game.
