Ohio State downs Iowa: Jeremiah Smith dazzles, Buckeyes defense smothers in big road win over Hawkeyes

Smith completed the Ohio State "triple crown" against Iowa as he became the program's all-time leader in receptions and receiving touchdowns. He already led the program in career receiving yards. The junior star finished with 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns. He passed Emeka Egbuka's old record of 205 receptions and passed Chris Olave's old record of 35 touchdown receptions.

The big day only added to a prolific start to the 2026 season for Smith, who is a prime candidate for the Heisman Trophy and firmly in the mix to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Jeremiah Smith snags more Ohio State records, hits Heisman pose after setting school TD, receptions marks

Shehan Jeyarajah

Iowa's second-half fade was a discouraging comedown from the high of last week's win at Michigan. Now, the Hawkeyes must prepare to travel cross-country to play at Washington on short rest. If Iowa can survive next Friday's bout with the Huskies, they'll reach a much-needed bye week at 5-1 with several resume-building opportunities still ahead against quality foes like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Northwestern.

But there are issues to address. Star safety Zach Lutmer was helped off the field in the second half after his leg appeared to twist awkwardly as he helped bring down Ohio State back Bo Jackson. 

The fourth-year star earned all-Big Ten honors last season and is an anchor of Iowa's defense. His status will be a key issue moving forward.

The health of quarterback Hank Brown will also be a significant plot line. He left the game after taking a big hit in the third quarter while releasing an intercepted pass. Backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski entered and promptly led a touchdown drive, which could reignite a quarterback battle for the Hawkeyes.

When Ohio State lost 24-23 at Texas in Week 2, the trio of Bo Jackson, Jakobi Jackson and Isaiah West combined for 101 yards rushing on 26 carries. It was merely a pedestrian effort from the Buckeyes rushing attack that left questions about the offense's balance under first-year coordinator Arthur Smith.

Ohio State's running game still isn't dominant, but it has made strides since Week 2. The trio of Jackson, Jackson and West combined for 124 yards on 23 carries last week against Illinois. Against Iowa, the three backs tallied 163 yards on 37 carries.

The Buckeyes' passing attack is their bread and butter, but the rushing game is looking capable of providing the balance that will be required to get this team where it wants to go.

Ohio State rode the superstardom of receiver Jeremiah Smith to its most impressive victory of the 2026 season on Saturday, as the No. 5 Buckeyes pulled away from No. 14 Iowa for a 31-14 road win. Smith became Ohio State's all-time leader in touchdown receptions with 36 when he reeled in a deep ball from Julian Sayin for a 57-yard score late in the third quarter.

That score put Ohio State up 24-6 and turned out the lights on an Iowa team that provided significant resistance in the first half. The Hawkeyes trailed just 10-6 at the end of the first quarter, even after gift-wrapping an early touchdown to Ohio State with a fumble on the game's opening possession.

But the cracks in Ohio State's defense that Iowa exploited early soon dried up. Smith's first touchdown came with 12 seconds left in the first half, capping a quick Ohio State touchdown drive after the Buckeyes had totaled just three points over their first three possessions. That score sent Ohio State leading 17-6 and eliminated Iowa's already-slim margin for error.

A nightmarish offensive start to the second half got worse for Iowa when Ohio State star Jaylen McClain intercepted Hank Brown with 2:52 left in the third quarter. Brown while taking a hit as he released the football and did not return.

With Hank Brown out after taking a big hit late in the third quarter, Jeremy Hecklinski entered at quarterback and led an 8-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a 2-yard Braeden Jackson touchdown run. After a successful 2-point conversion, the Hawkeyes are within 31-14. Hecklinski completed 5 of 5 passes for 67 yards. He was in a battle with Brown for the starting job during preseason practice and looked good on that series.

Mid 4Q: Ohio State 31, Iowa 6

Ohio State's running game is providing balance to the high-powered passing attack. Ja'Kobi Jackson just removed all doubt with a 7-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. He's up to 70 yards on 12 carries while Bo Jackson has 54 yards on 10 carries. Isaiah West has made it a three-man attack with five carries for 23 yards. When Ohio State can run the football effectively, it makes them virtually impossible to defend.

End 3Q: Ohio State 24, Iowa 6

Iowa hit a wall in the third quarter with consecutive three-and-outs followed by a Hank Brown interception. Adding insult to injury, Brown jogged off to the locker room after taking a big shot while releasing the intercepted ball. The chunk plays and offensive success that the Hawkeyes found in spurts during the first half have evaporated as the Ohio State defense has settled in following a shaky showing against Illinois last week. 

6:11 3Q: Ohio State 24, Iowa 6

Ohio State Jeremiah Smith now stands alone atop the Ohio State record book with 36 career receiving touchdowns. Smith just reeled in a strike from Julian Saying for a 57-yard touchdown to put the Buckeyes ahead 24-6 late in the third quarter. If the Heisman vote were today, there's no way anyone other than Smith would win. He's been impossible to defend this season while taking his already elite play to even greater heights. Smith is up to 180 yards receiving against the Hawkeyes.

Iowa safety Zach Lutmer was just helped into the injury tent amid what could be a brutal loss for the Hawkeyes. The fourth-year star earned all-Big Ten honors last season and is an anchor of Iowa's defense. His leg appeared to twist awkwardly as he helped bring down Ohio State running back Bo Jackson. Containing the Buckeyes' passing attack is hard enough at full strength. Doing it without a star like Lutmer in the secondary will be even harder.

Iowa has totaled 10 yards on Hank Brown's last six pass attempts. The Hawkeyes haven't been successful in the running game and aren't in a great position — trailing by 11 — to try and recommit to the ground game. The early chunk plays have dissipated as Brown has gone cold. Ohio State has the football back with another chance to gain separation.

Ohio State just went three-and-out for the first time today on its opening series of the second half. That's exactly what Iowa's defense needed after surrendering a touchdown drive in a two-minute drill situation to close the first half. Jacob Wallace sacked Julian Sayin on first down, setting the Buckeyes behind the chains. That's three sacks for Iowa today.

This still needs to be fully vetted over a larger sample size against Big Ten opposition, but it seems as though there is a tradeoff with Iowa's offensive improvement. This Hawkeyes defense isn't quite as stingy as a normal Phil Parker unit. Michigan racked up 429 yards last week in Iowa's dramatic win. Ohio State struggled to finish drives in the first half, but the Buckeyes racked up 259 yards and never had any real trouble moving the football.

Half: Ohio State 17, Iowa 6

Jeremiah Smith is doing his thing again. The junior star and one of the most-decorated receivers in college football history just put the Buckeyes ahead 17-6 entering halftime as he stretched for the pylon to cap a critical scoring drive for Ohio State. He's got six grabs for 111 yards and is now tied with Chris Olave for most receiving touchdowns in Buckeyes history with 35.

That was Ohio State's first touchdown since Iowa gifted the Buckeyes a red-zone possession with a fumble on the game's opening possession. The Buckeyes struggled to finish drives for nearly the entire half until finally finding the end-zone in the two-minute drill to make it a two-possession game entering the break.

Failing to finish drives was a theme for Iowa as well, as the Hawkeyes settled for two field goals. With Ohio State getting the ball to start the third quarter, the Hawkeyes will need to get a stop coming out of the break.

Ohio State has two timeouts and plenty of time to stage a scoring drive before halftime. The Buckeyes also get the football to start the second half, which makes this a dangerous moment for the Hawkeyes. They have done some good things on both sides of the ball in this half, But Ohio State has the explosiveness to take over a game in a hurry.

Late 2Q: Ohio State 10, Iowa 6

If you were looking for a script for how to lose against Iowa as a ~14-point favorite, Ohio State is writing it before our eyes. The Buckeyes have come up empty on consecutive trips to Iowa territory after a promising possession was derailed when Julian Sayin was sacked for a loss of 13. He fumbled on the play, and the Buckeyes fell on it. But that left Ohio State in a third-and-forever, and the Buckeyes had to punt. Sayin is 9 of 12 for 139 yards and a touchdown, but Ohio State is not finishing drives. 

In many positive ways, this Iowa team feels higher octane and offensively competent than its recent predecessors. But a beautiful 50-yard punt from Boston Everitt downed at Ohio State's 2-yard line conjured flashbacks to the not-so-distant past, when the punter was often Iowa's best weapon. The Hawkeyes initially lined up to go for it on fourth-and-4 from Ohio State's 47 before taking a delay of game and booting it away. That was a classic risk-averse decision from Kirk Ferentz. When you've got good special teams, it makes those calls easier.

Clang! Connor Hawkins' 40-yard field goal attempt ricocheted off the top of the left upright and fell then fell in the end zone. That's a huge stop for the Hawkeyes, who surrendered a 54-yard gain to Jeremiah Smith on the first play of the second quarter. That was the 200th reception of his career, but it was all the offense the Buckeyes could muster. Joseph Anderson sacked Julian Sayin on a third-and-10 play to force the field goal try.

End 1Q: Ohio State 10, Iowa 6

Iowa OC Tim Lester is doing a nice job of incorporating tight end DJ Vonnahme early. He got a Hawkeyes drive jump started with a 16-yard reception on a third-down play. Iowa eventually stalled out again when Qua Russaw sacked Hank Brown for a loss of 10. That turned a medium-range field goal into a 46-yard attempt from Caden Buhr, but he drilled it. So far, the idea that Iowa's offense is better is holding up. But if the Hawkeyes are going to pull the upset, they need touchdowns and not just field goals.

Ohio State participated in the iconic Hawkeye wave for the first time in Ryan Day's tenure between the quarters. Here is a note Day penned to the families at the Iowa Children's Hospital.

Late 1Q: Ohio State 10, Iowa 3

Iowa helped Ohio State get a head start on its second possession by picking up a somewhat comical and totally unnecessary unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the kickoff. Starting at their own 40, the Buckeyes quickly moved into Iowa territory on a connection between Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith before settling for a 28-yard Connor Hawkins field goal. Smith has three catches for 27 yards.

Mid 2Q: Ohio State 7, Iowa 3

Bailed out by a pass interference penalty that helped Iowa avoid a three-and-out, the Hawkeyes moved the football into Ohio State territory before stalling out on the cusp of the red zone and settling for a 43-yard Caden Buhr field goal. Iowa had success getting out to the perimeter on some misdirection runs and a dump off to tight end DJ Vonnahme. But this is what Ohio State's defense did last week in a win over Illinois: bend without breaking.

Hank Brown was trying to create something out of nothing on a second-down play when Kenyatta Jackson arrived on the scene with a strip-sack. Brown never saw the veteran defensive end coming. Christian Alliegro fell on the loose football to give the Buckeyes possession at Iowa's 14-yard line.

Two plays later, Julian Sayin hit Devin McCuin wide open over the middle of the field for a touchdown. There was no one in McCuin's vicinity. Just like that, the Buckeyes are ahead 7-0 and have silenced the crowd inside Kinnick Stadium less than two minutes into the game.

Buckeyes nickel Jay Timmons is not expected to play today, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported. He was listed as a game-time decision and was spotted going through pregame warmups. Timmons could be available in an "extremely limited role," Thamel reported. The freshman was a top-50 prospect in the Class of 2026 and has carved out a big role early on his his career. In his place, look for another freshman, Jordan Thomas, to get lots of action.

Things have not gone well for Iowa against Ryan Day. The Hawkeyes are 0-2 against Day's Buckeyes with an average margin of defeat of 36 points. Ohio State is just as talented as it was in 2022 and 2024. Iowa is just as stingy defensively. The question in this game becomes, can Iowa's newly invigorated offense, which ranks 37th nationally in yards per play, close the skill gap? Iowa will control the clock. Iowa will keep Ohio State in front of it defensively. I just wonder if the Hawkeyes can score enough to pull the upset. I'm betting the offensive uptick in production is real enough. Iowa keeps it close at home. … Ohio State 27, Iowa 14.

This is a dangerous spot for the Buckeyes, and Ryan Day knows it. Equipped with one of college football's fiercest defenses, Iowa's not going to let Ohio State get anything easy this weekend. Some of those big plays from the opposition might be unavoidable, however, with Heisman frontrunner Jeremiah Smith on the outside. Keeping the explosive to a minimum is the goal for the Hawkeyes, who were able to sustain stops during their win at Michigan last week. ... Ohio State 24, Iowa 7.

Iowa and Ohio State are squaring off as top-15 foes for the first time since 2006 on Saturday, when the No. 14 Hawkeyes host the No. 5 Buckeyes on CBS. The Big Ten showdown brings a moment of tension for Ohio State, which suffered a 55-24 loss during its last visit to Kinnick Stadium in 2017.

With one loss already, the Buckeyes can ill-afford a stumble as they enter a month that also includes trips to No. 6 Indiana and No. 18 USC. For Iowa, this represents a breakthrough opportunity on the heels of a last-second win at Michigan in Week 4.

That victory propelled Iowa to 4-0 for the first time since 2021, when the Hawkeyes rose all the way to No. 2 in the AP poll on their way to an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game. Beating the Buckeyes would put Iowa on a similar trajectory and send its playoff chances skyrocketing.

Ohio State won the last two meetings by 28 (2024) and 44 (2022), but there signs that these Hawkeyes are better equipped to stage a competitive battle as these Big Ten stalwarts square off in Iowa City for the first time in nearly a decade.

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith is on a blistering pace with 33 receptions for 617 yards and seven touchdowns through four games. The junior star is one touchdown away from tying Chris Olive for most receiving touchdowns in program history and just five away from matching ex-Michigan star Braylon Edwards for most receiving touchdowns in Big Ten history at 39. Smith is on track to become the first player to ever lead the Big Ten in receiving yards three times. He's also likely to surpass K.J. Hill and Emeka Egbuka for most receptions in Ohio State history in the near future.

Ohio State ranks just 27th in total defense through four games after finishing the 2025 season at No. 1 in that metric. Considering seven players from last season's defense were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, it's not shocking that the Buckeyes have dropped off a bit. But the slide came with a cost in a Week 2 loss at Texas, when Ohio State's defense couldn't get off the field over the final 20 minutes as the Longhorns rallied from a 23-3 deficit to win 24-23. Illinois racked up 462 yards and 25 first downs on Ohio State last week. Though the Buckeyes won 42-19, it wasn't a banner day for coordinator Matt Patricia's defense, which comes into this game with some questions to answer.

Ohio State's defense is suspect enough that Iowa's offense — on track to be the program's best in years — may actually put up some points. However, the Hawkeyes aren't quite as stingy defensively as usual, which means that slowing the Buckeyes down enough to keep the game within two touchdowns could be hard. Look for Iowa to make this a competitive game until Ohio State's superior skill talent (see: Jeremiah Smith) creates separation down the stretch. But it's a close enough call that bettors seeing Ohio State -14.5 should consider the Iowa side. Pick: Ohio State -13.5

Iowa ranks No. 48 nationally in total offense entering this showdown, which is hardly remarkable on the surface. But after ranking 117th or worse in total offense for the past five seasons, it's a marked improvement. The Hawkeyes struggled to run the football against Michigan last week, but quarterback Hank Brown led a game-winning drive capped by a touchdown pass to Reece Vander Zee on the game's final play. Considering the hostility of Michigan Stadium and the quality of the opponent, it was the sort of clutch, late-game execution that would have been unfathomable for the Iowa offense at any point over the past several years.

For all of the incredible receivers that have come through Ohio State specifically, Jeremiah Smith has cleared them all in just 33 career games, and he's well on his way to setting a new mark that could stand for quite some time in the Big Ten record books. This season, Smith has an astounding 617 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, both of which lead the nation and have cemented him as an early Heisman Trophy frontrunner. 

Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith closing in on Big Ten's all-time receiving record at historic pace

Robby Kalland