Jeremiah Smith’s visible frustration during Ohio State’s 41-28 loss to Oregon on Saturday drew sharp criticism from a longtime Buckeyes reporter who said the star wide receiver’s sideline outburst was out of line for a player of his stature. Late in the third quarter, with Ohio State trailing 31-14, Smith was caught on camera yelling toward the sideline after finally making a catch, a moment that was widely discussed during and after the game.
Smith, a team captain and one of the few bright spots amid Ohio State’s recent struggles, had gone more than two quarters without a reception as the Ducks erased an early 14-0 deficit. While game commentators praised Smith’s intensity and competitiveness, Jeremy Birmingham, who covers the Buckeyes for 97.1 The Fan and has reported on the program for over a decade, was less forgiving.
“You cannot be the best player in the country and a captain and all of the things that Jeremiah Smith is and go stomping down the field like a petulant child,” Birmingham said on 97.1 The Fan’s Snap Judgments after the game. Smith’s reaction, Birmingham argued, undermines the leadership expected from a player widely viewed as the face of the program.
The Buckeyes’ offensive frustrations have been a recurring topic this season. In the previous week’s 30-18 loss to USC, Fox analyst Joel Klatt questioned Ohio State’s game plan, saying it “can’t be your game plan” to rely so heavily on Smith. Despite a slow start in the Oregon game, Smith managed to finish with seven catches for 133 yards and a touchdown, but by then the Ducks had a comfortable lead.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day acknowledged the team’s issues after the game, saying “there needs to be accountability” following the loss, which was the Buckeyes’ second straight and third this season. The team’s offensive struggles and Smith’s limited involvement for long stretches appear to be areas of concern as the season progresses.
Smith’s frustration seemed to reflect the broader difficulties Ohio State has faced in maintaining consistency. The Ducks’ 38 unanswered points after trailing early shifted momentum decisively. Smith’s outburst, captured by SportsCenter and widely circulated on social media, became a focal point amidst the disappointment.
While some fans sympathize with Smith’s visible frustration, considering how underused he was for much of the match, others echo Birmingham’s view that a player with Smith’s responsibilities must maintain composure. How the Buckeyes adjust their approach to their top receiver remains an open question, with Day already promising changes as the season moves forward.
The loss to Oregon has added pressure on Ohio State to find answers quickly. Smith’s reaction on the sideline is set to be part of the conversation as the team seeks to rebound from a challenging stretch.
According to Yahoo Sports.
