There were concerns before to the game regarding the availability of the Buckeyes’ premier wide receivers, Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. When word spread on Saturday morning that both would be playing, the doubt subsided, and by the afternoon, each had scored a touchdown.
Ryan Day makes bold statement about Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate suiting up against Michigan
“If you really knew how much work they put in to get on the field and how gutsy they are I’m sure the fans and everybody would appreciate what they did in going out there and putting it on the line,” Day said Saturday afternoon.
Tate had missed the previous three games due to what was initially described as tightness in his lower body before the Purdue game. Smith had been dealing with a nagging injury that limited him to just one quarter against UCLA before he ultimately sat out against Rutgers. On Saturday against Michigan, however, the two looked like they hadn’t missed any time.
Quarterback Julian Sayin gave Smith the lead with a 35-yard score, and he ended with three receptions for forty yards. With 82 yards on five receptions, including a 50-yard score that gave Ohio State complete control of the game in the third quarter, Tate led the Buckeyes in receiving. Although the Buckeyes didn’t make many deep shots against Michigan, they were crucial when they did.