Ohio State Defeats Iowa Behind Julian Sayin And Jeremiah Smith

Julian Sayin threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns on October 3, 2026, leading No. 5 Ohio State to a 31-14 victory over No. 14 Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith broke three Buckeyes career records during the game while declaring himself the country’s top player.

Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith Power Ohio State Past Iowa

The fifth-ranked Buckeyes bounced back from an early-season stumble in Austin to secure their first road win of the year against a hostile Kinnick Stadium crowd. Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 20 of 27 passes for 324 yards, orchestrating an offense that outgained the Hawkeyes 484 yards to 238 yards while holding nearly a 17-minute advantage in time of possession.

The turning point arrived just before halftime. Leading by four points with under two minutes remaining on the clock and pinned at their own 16-yard line, the Buckeyes marched to a score. Sayin connected with Jeremiah Smith on a 12-yard touchdown pass with just 12 seconds left in the half to extend the advantage to 17-6.

“I thought the end of the first half was huge,” Day said. “We got that stop, that third-down stop on the third-and-long. And then we went down the field again and scored late, which was huge. Didn’t come out great on that first drive of the second half. But then we got some stops, got the turnover.”

Ryan Day, Ohio State head coach

Day added that the team played physical and built confidence as the schedule hits its midpoint. After a scoreless third-quarter opening drive from the offense, the defense shut down Iowa’s initial possessions of the second half, forcing two consecutive three-and-outs before Jaylen McClain secured a key turnover that paved the way for a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Ja’Kobi Jackson.

Jeremiah Smith Shatters Receiving Records and Sets Sights on the Heisman

Smith delivered his second consecutive 200-plus-yard receiving performance, hauling in 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns against the best defense in the country. In the process, the junior wideout eclipsed multiple program milestones, becoming Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions with 207, receiving yards at 3,381, and receiving touchdowns with 36, surpassing the previous touchdown record held by Chris Olave since 2021 after a third-quarter 57-yard scoring strike from Sayin.

During his celebration in the north end zone after the 57-yard score, Smith flashed the Heisman pose toward the home fans. Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, he made his personal ambitions clear while drawing praise from high-profile supporters like LeBron James.

“You’ve just got to [let] the Heisman voters or whoever it is know that I’m the best player in the country, I’ve got to be there.”

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State wide receiver

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz admitted after the contest that with a little bit of luck, opposing teams would not have to see Smith again during his career.

Buckeyes Defense Dismantles Iowa Rushing Game

While the offense generated 484 total yards, the Buckeyes defense entirely dismantled the Hawkeyes’ running game. Iowa managed just 39 rushing yards on 21 carries, preventing the hosts from establishing the clock control they prefer while Kenyatta Jackson Jr. anchored the front with a sack and a forced fumble.

The victory moves Ohio State to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play as the team prepares to return home. The Buckeyes host Maryland next Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

Meanwhile, Iowa falls to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference following a 20-19 victory over Michigan the previous week, and the Hawkeyes must travel to face Washington on Friday night.

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