Jeremiah Smith appeared on the pregame availability report as questionable and left mid-second quarter with a nagging lower-body issue. Ryan Day said Smith “could have gone back in” but the staff chose rest with the Buckeyes up big.
Carnell Tate was held out completely after the medical staff recommended another week of recovery. Running back CJ Donaldson and offensive lineman Joshua Padilla were also listed as questionable and did not see snaps.
Day emphasized confidence in the depth chart: “We played 10 receivers tonight and still found explosives. The goal is having everyone at 100% for the stretch run.” Expect Smith and Tate to be game-time decisions next week, but both are progressing.