Jeremiah Smith Felt 'Bad' for Illinois DB After Viral TD, 'I Started Laughing When That Happened'

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith said that he felt sympathetic toward the Illinois' secondary as he dominated throughout the No. 7 Buckeyes' 42-19 victory on Saturday.

Specifically, Smith said he felt "bad" for the Illinois defensive back he turned around several times on a 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

"Yeah, I could say I feel bad for him," Smith told reporters after the game. "When I did that, I started laughing when that happened. So yeah, feel kind of bad for him."

Smith hauled in 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns against the Fighting Illini, showcasing his route-running proficiency as well as his ability to make defenders miss after the catch.

It was a particularly impressive performance from Smith, who has maintained his status as one of the top receivers in the country to start his 2026 campaign.

He had already recorded 21 catches for 400 yards and three scores across three appearances heading into Saturday's action.