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    • Ohio State football WR Jeremiah Smith takes blame for the interception
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    Ohio State football WR Jeremiah Smith takes blame for the interception

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith took blame for a series of events that led to quarterback Will Howard throwing his first interception as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback.

    “That was my fault,” Smith said. “It wasn’t Will’s fault.”

    It was late in the first quarter of Saturday’s 49-14 win over Marshall when Howard sent a ball deep down the sideline to the star freshman, who was instead snatched by cornerback Josh Moten.

    Looking back on the game after practice on Wednesday, Smith said he lined up too far out and should have lined up closer to the rest of the formation.

    It was something he discussed with Brian Hartline, the Buckeyes’ co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, shortly after returning to the sideline.

    “He wanted me to avoid my separation,” Smith said.

    A line-up that was too large gave Moten leverage in coverage. Moten, a former four-star recruit who transferred from Texas A&M last year, never let Smith get past him.

    “That’s why he just overplayed,” Smith said, “and it was an interception.”

    Howard has only thrown a handful of deep balls this season, a result of the Buckeyes throwing shorter passes against overwhelmed non-conference opponents, but when Howard went long, he showed a measure of confidence in Smith.

    The two connected on a 45-yard reception in the season-opening win over Akron. One step past safety Daymon David, Smith completed the pass with his left hand.

    “He tells me a lot every day, ‘If you’re single or 1-on-1, I’m going to you no matter what.’ I just hand it over,” Smith said. “I just have to make a play.”

    Smith has done it so far this season. Howard targeted him three more times against the Thundering Herd, resulting in three receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown.

    Through three games, Smith leads the Buckeyes with 14 catches for 281 yards and four touchdowns.

    Howard’s confidence in the 18-year-old wasn’t shaken by the interception.

    “I’m going to trust No. 4 every day of the week,” Howard said, “and he’s going to make sure he plays. Sometimes things happen. It’s football.”

    Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. @joeyrkaufman or send him an email at [email protected].

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    Caradoc Wyn
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