Ryan Day gives update on Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate with Michigan game on tap after Ohio State’s win over Rutgers
Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate did not play against Rutgers.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are now 11-0 on the season, and all of their focus turns to the Michigan Wolverines. Ohio State defeated Rutgers 42-9 in its home finale to remain perfect on the year.
The Buckeyes had to take care of business without their top two pass catchers. Wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate did not play against the Scarlet Knights. Tate missed his third straight game with what has been described as lower-body tightness suffered on Nov. 8 against Purdue. Smith played just one quarter against UCLA last weekend and has been dealing with what Ryan Day previously called a “nagging injury.”
Ryan Day provides update on Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate after beating Rutgers
“The only thing I’ll say, really, is that they are day to day, and you know, the staff and those guys are working really hard to get ready to play next week over here to the left,” Day said after the win over Rutgers.
Smith leads the Buckeyes with 902 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while Tate is close behind as the second option with 711 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this season. Early on, Ohio State looked like a team missing its identity — understandable without its top two playmakers. But as the game progressed, the Buckeyes settled in. After leading just 14-3 at halftime, they figured things out in the second half.
Purdue transfer TE Max Klare emerged as the big-play threat through the air, delivering his best performance as a Buckeye. Klare finished with 105 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches. David Adolph was the next most productive pass catcher with 23 yards on two receptions. Brandon Inniss added a short touchdown grab, and the Buckeyes relied heavily on their run game otherwise.
“The guys had a really good week of work in terms of focus, and it was an opportunity for guys to step up in different ways. And so, whether it was defense, special teams, or on offense, you know, nobody really flinched.”
Bo Jackson rushed for 110 yards, while James Peoples (55 yards) and Isaiah West (48 yards) also contributed productive outings. Julian Sayin went 13-of-19 for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State’s goal was to get through this one cleanly while resting its star pass catchers.
All eyes now turn to the availability of Smith and Tate next weekend as the Buckeyes travel north to face Michigan.
Ohio State Buckeyes News
Ohio State Buckeyes starter leaves the door open to return for another season with a simple move
Ohio State will have several players who will be thinking about their future soon.
