For their standout efforts in Ohio State’s 34-10 victory over Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday, the Buckeyes honored wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and linebacker Payton Pierce as the players of the game.
Smith was the Buckeyes offensive player of the game as Ohio State’s star receiver set a career high in catches with fellow wide receiver Carnell Tate sidelined against the Boilermakers. Smith finished with 10 receptions, which he took for 137 yards and one touchdown.
Smith’s biggest moment came midway through the second quarter, when Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin threaded a pass down the middle and dropped it perfectly into the second-year wideout’s hands — just beyond two Purdue defenders — for a 35-yard touchdown that extended Ohio State’s lead to 14-3.
McDonald, who earned defensive player of the game honors, was yet again a force to be reckoned with in Ohio State’s win over Purdue. The Suwanee, Ga., native racked up four solo tackles, including a crucial tackle for loss on a third-and-2 in the third quarter.
Pierce was named Ohio State’s special teams player of the game, but was effective on both defense and special teams. The sophomore linebacker led the Buckeyes with seven total tackles, including five solo tackles. Pierce had two tackles as a member of the Ohio State kickoff unit — both coming in the second quarter, while also taking down Purdue offensive players five times on the Boilermakers final drive of the game.
