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Jeremiah Smith's monster performance just set the stage for Malachi Toney to go off

Now it's Malachi Toney's turn.
ByPatrick Previty
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Sep 26, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) with Illibuck, a trophy awarded to the winner of the college football rivalry between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Buckeyes, after the game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Sep 26, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) with Illibuck, a trophy awarded to the winner of the college football rivalry between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Buckeyes, after the game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

We have a brand new chapter in the Jeremiah Smith-Malachi Toney Heisman race.

Smith finished with 12 catches for 207 yards and four touchdowns as No. 7 Ohio State pulled away from Illinois 42-19. He scored from 7, 72 and 9 yards in the first half, added a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and crossed a mark no Buckeyes wide receiver has ever reached.

Upon entering the afternoon with 2,958 career receiving yards (school record), he became the first Ohio State receiver to 3,000 yards, and he did it by halftime. It was the first three-plus touchdown game of his career and Toney will have a high standard to match as he takes the field later Saturday when No. 6 Miami hosts Central Michigan.

The respect between Smith and Toney is key to the race

After Smith broke Michael Jenkins' Ohio State career receiving-yards record last week against Kent State, he was asked whether he watches college football on Fridays and laughed before saying, "Always."

The question was a reference to Miami playing two games on Friday so far this season.

"Malachi is going off week in, week out. For the competition, I see him go off, so I'm trying to have a good game as well," Smith said. "I mean, we're both from Dade County, so always trying to have a little competition here and there."

By the numbers

Jeremiah Smith's 2026 game log

  • Sept. 5 vs. Ball State: 8 catches, 151 yards, 2 TDs (W 56-3)
  • Sept. 12 at No. 4 Texas: 8 catches, 164 yards, 1 TD (L 24-23)
  • Sept. 19 vs. Kent State: 5 catches, 85 yards, 0 TDs (W 59-3)
  • Sept. 26 vs. Illinois: 12 catches, 207 yards, 4 TDs (W 42-19)
  • Totals: 33 catches, 607 yards, 7 TDs

Malachi Toney's 2026 game log

  • Sept. 4 at Stanford: 12 catches, 234 yards, 3 TDs (W 45-6)
  • Sept. 10 vs. Florida A&M: 4 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD (W 77-7)
  • Sept. 18 at Wake Forest: 12 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD (W 33-20)
  • Sept. 26 vs. Central Michigan: 6:30 p.m. ET, Hard Rock Stadium
  • Totals through three games: 28 catches, 444 yards, 5 TDs
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