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By Ellis Williams
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Jeremiah Smith’s record-setting afternoon included an 11-yard reception that NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay believes officials should never have awarded him.
The Ohio State receiver converted a third-and-10 against Northwestern on Saturday after replay overturned an incomplete pass along the left sideline. McAulay questioned whether the video justified changing the call, focusing on when Smith controlled the football and whether he was still inbounds.
“It is not clear and obvious the player had control with a body part down inbounds,” McAulay wrote on X. “It should not have been reversed to a catch.”
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The third-quarter play kept a Buckeyes possession alive. Four plays later, quarterback Luke Fahey found Devin McCuin for an 8-yard touchdown. Ohio State went on to win 28-19 at Ohio Stadium.
McAulay’s objection centered on the decision to overturn the ruling on the field, rather than a claim that the video conclusively proved Smith had failed to catch the ball. The reception stood, regardless of his disagreement with the review.
FOX College Football posted footage of the play and asked viewers whether they agreed with the decision.
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Elsewhere in the game, Smith reached a milestone that had been approaching for weeks. A 22-yard reception moved him past former Purdue receiver John Standeford’s Big Ten career record of 3,788 receiving yards.
Smith entered Saturday needing 31 yards to break the mark and finished with 117 yards and a touchdown. He already held the conference record for career touchdown receptions, adding his 42nd against Northwestern.
His performance also tied Braylon Edwards and David Bell for the most 100-yard receiving games in Big Ten history. One more would give Smith that record outright.
The junior had passed Michael Jenkins for Ohio State’s career receiving-yardage record earlier this season. Saturday extended his place in the record book beyond Columbus, with the conference’s career yardage and touchdown standards now both belonging to him.
The Wildcats had pulled within one point early in the third quarter before Ohio State created some separation. Northwestern’s defense forced three turnovers, including an interception and a fumble recovery by Braden Turner, according to the school’s game recap.
Quarterback Nicco Marchiol threw for 225 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. Tight end Luke Dehnicke finished with five receptions for 88 yards and a score.
Ohio State improved to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in Big Ten play. The win followed consecutive losses to USC and Oregon, giving the Buckeyes their first victory since beating Indiana on Oct. 17.
The Buckeyes finish the regular season at Nebraska on Nov. 21 and at home against Michigan on Nov. 28.
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