Jeremiah Smith becomes the Big Ten's all-time leading receiver in just his third season, passing Standeford

In just his third college season, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has become the Big Ten's all-time leading receiver. He set the record in the Buckeyes' 28-19 win over Northwestern.

In the match, Smith made 11 receptions for 117 yards and scored a touchdown. In the second quarter he passed Purdue's John Standeford's Big Ten record. Standeford had 3,788 receiving yards in four seasons; Smith now has 3,875.

Smith is now one of just 11 players inside the top 50 all-time to spend less than four seasons in the conference, and one of only three inside the top 15. He also tied Purdue's David Bell and Michigan's Braylon Edwards with his 17th 100-yard game.

Smith made a statement the moment he arrived in Columbus. As a freshman he led the Big Ten in receiving yards and touchdowns, and he has only got better since. Last year he was an All-American and finished sixth in the Heisman vote.

This season his 15 touchdowns are the most in all of the FBS. He remains front and centre in the Heisman debate, and he is in the conversation to be the first pick in next year's NFL Draft.

But this likely final college season of his may not bring another national title. The Buckeyes have slipped out of the College Football Playoff race.

On Saturday, backup quarterback Luke Frahey threw for 201 yards in total, and more than half of those yards came through Smith, with Julian Sayin still dealing with an injury. Last year too, Smith led the Big Ten in both catches and yards.

Smith now joins Ohio State's recent line of star receivers — Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate and Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Buckeyes face Nebraska and Michigan to end their regular season.