The Illibuck being passed between players during Carmen Ohio. Ohio State beat Illinois 42-19 on Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.
In its previous three games this season, Ohio State’s defense has allowed an average of 221 yards per game.?
Against Illinois, the Buckeyes allowed 462 yards, their most since giving up 496 to Oregon on Oct. 12, 2024.
Ohio State’s dominant offense powered the Buckeyes to a 42-19 win over Illinois in their Big Ten conference opener at Ohio Stadium, helping overshadow an uncharacteristically vulnerable day for the defense.?
Quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith connected for four touchdowns, allowing Smith to tie an Ohio State program record for most touchdowns in a single game.?
Despite the 23-point win, Day thought Ohio State allowed Illinois too many big plays.
“We’ve got to get on the film and make the corrections,” Day said.
The yardage did not, however, turn into points. The Buckeyes limited Illinois to two touchdowns and two field goals, and included a momentum-shifting deflection caused by safety Jaylen McClain at the Ohio State 5-yard line with 14:09 left in the third quarter.
“We played hard, we gave a lot of effort,” McClain said. “We got bent a few times, but we didn’t break.”
Even though Illinois stormed the ball down the field and scored on four offensive drives, Sayin and Smith made sure Ohio State’s offense had responses.?
On the Buckeyes first offensive drive of the day, the two met for their first score of the game with a 7-yard reception.
With 3:39 left in the first quarter, Smith and Sayin connected for their second touchdown, a 72-yard reception. Sayin said they knew before running the play it would finish in the end zone.
“We all kind of knew that it was going to be a touchdown just because of a certain coverage of the play,” Sayin said.
Smith broke three of his career records against the Fighting Illini with 217 receiving yards, 12 receptions and four touchdowns. He is now the first and only Ohio State receiver with more than 3,000 career receiving yards.
“[Smith] builds so much confidence in [Sayin] because when they practice, they’re throwing with each other,” Day said. “He’s out there taking those reps, and so you got to pull him back. I think he’s taking his game to the next level this year.”
Sayin threw to eight different receivers for 367 yards and recorded the second rushing touchdown of his career with 15 seconds left in the first half.?
Smith said he is grateful every day he walks into practice to watch Sayin and build their chemistry.?
“It’s truly [a] blessing to be in that quarterback room every day,” Smith said.
