It’s never too early for the Heisman Trophy hype machine to crank up, and Ohio State left Week 1 of the college football season with a trio of attractive candidates in a 56-3 romp over Ball State.
Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who finished sixth in Heisman voting last year, continued to prove that he’s a lock to be a top-five NFL Draft pick. Smith led the Buckeyes with eight catches for 161 yards (both game highs) and two eye-popping touchdown receptions — and even struck a Heisman pose after one score (and a toe-tapping finish).
Jeremiah Smith hit the Heisman 👀 pic.twitter.com/0BQ7jo2rLU
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 5, 2026
Quarterback Julian Sayin, a 2025 Heisman finalist, rebounded from a disappointing exit from last year’s College Football Playoff by completing 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and no interceptions (a rating of 231.1).
“I thought he had good command like always,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said of Sayin. “Bigger challenges ahead.”
Ohio State has a new offensive coordinator in NFL head coaching veteran Arthur Smith, whose sophisticated schemes were absorbed well in the opener.
Sayin slings another 🏈
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 5, 2026
Julian Sayin's second TD of the day goes to Devin McCuin.
Watch on @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/2G4Uoa7aNx
“Yeah, it was an awesome time out there,” Sayin said. “The team played well, defense played well, o-line did a great job. We had three quarterbacks throw touchdowns today, so it was awesome to see guys get out there and show what we worked on in practice. We have some veterans and new guys, so it’s fun to have that mixture. It was fun.”
Ball State Cardinals defensive back Anthony Pinnace (14) hits Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 5, 2026.
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Running back Bo Jackson (who already has a Heisman-worthy moniker) ripped off a 65-yard touchdown while rushing nine times for 83 yards (not to be outdone, teammate Ja’Kobi Jackson also rushed for 83 yards, including a 48-yard TD).
BO KNOWS THE ENDZONE ‼️
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 5, 2026
That's a career high 65 yard run for the score. pic.twitter.com/mol7jXErbv
Day wasn’t ready to put too much stock in his team’s showing against inferior competition, though.
“We’ll get on the film and try to figure out the things we did well, and the things we have to get better at,” Day said. “I’ll get on the film and see. It’s hard when you win 56-3, so the film will tell the story more than anything. The issues are always there, and we’ve got to identify them.”
The Buckeyes will face No. 5 Texas and Arch Manning next week. That will be a much bigger spotlight for burnishing the sterling resume that is needed for a December trip to New York, and the Heisman awards presentation.
And there already have been some other impressive performances in Week 1. But the Buckeyes at least got on the Heisman board with their star trio of returning starters in the season opener.
