Heisman-caliber performances were on full display as Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Miami’s Malachi Toney opened the season with explosive outings that immediately vaulted both receivers into national award conversations.
Smith torched Ball State with eight receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns before halftime in No. 1 Ohio State’s 56-3 rout on Saturday, then punctuated his second score with a Heisman pose. One night earlier, Toney delivered a three-touchdown masterpiece in No. 7 Miami’s 45-6 win at Stanford, setting a program single-game record with 234 receiving yards and striking a similar celebration.
Both wideouts entered the fall with lofty expectations after last season’s Associated Press All-America honors, where Smith was a first-team pick and Toney made the second team. This summer’s AP preseason All-America team listed both as first-team receivers alongside Texas’ Cam Coleman.
The duo already backed up the accolades. They met in last year’s College Football Playoff, when Smith posted seven catches for 157 yards and a touchdown, though Miami advanced with a 24-14 Cotton Bowl quarterfinal victory over Ohio State. Their dominant openers suggest another postseason collision is possible, and a trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony could come even sooner.
Heisman-caliber performances across the weekend
No. 6 Indiana, the defending national champion, unveiled several impact newcomers in a 52-16 victory over North Texas. Former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover went 13 of 16 for 231 yards and four touchdowns in his debut replacing Heisman winner and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza.
Boston College transfer Turbo Richard scored twice, and Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh hauled in the Hoosiers’ first touchdown with a one-handed catch. Indiana’s defense, which ranked second nationally in points allowed last season, showed some vulnerability against a North Texas team that revamped its roster after former coach Eric Morris departed for Oklahoma State, taking many offensive playmakers with him.
Other notable outings included:
- Ohio State QB Julian Sayin, fourth in last year’s Heisman voting, completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, adding a rushing score.
- Miami QB Darian Mensah, who led Duke to an Atlantic Coast Conference title last season, threw five touchdown passes in his Hurricanes debut.
- South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers went 19 of 23 for 270 yards and three touchdowns in a 57-0 win over Kent State.
- USC QB Jayden Maiava completed 25 of 29 for 286 yards with two touchdowns in a 39-0 win over Fresno State, giving him five TD passes against six incompletions through No. 14 USC’s first two games.
- Pitt QB Mason Heintschel set an ACC single-game record with seven touchdown passes in a 59-14 win over Miami (Ohio), going 31 of 41 for 459 yards.
Freshmen made immediate noise in their college debuts:
- Nebraska’s Jamal Rule piled up 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries and added 47 receiving yards with another score in a 49-21 win over Ohio.
- Syracuse’s Shavane Anderson Jr. ran for 102 yards and three touchdowns in a 66-3 blowout of New Hampshire. Quarterback Steve Angeli also threw three touchdown passes in his first appearance since tearing his Achilles tendon in last year’s win over Clemson.
Off the field, eligibility turmoil shaped the buildup to Clemson’s visit to No. 11 LSU on Saturday night. After new NCAA eligibility rules were challenged in courts nationwide, the SEC and LSU wound up in legal wrangling during the week.
LSU ultimately opted not to roster former professionals Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris for the opener. Sunday’s slate features an unusually early Apple Cup between No. 17 Washington and Washington State, followed by prime-time matchups of No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field and No. 9 Mississippi against No. 24 Louisville in Nashville.
Labor Day closes with Florida State hosting No. 19 SMU and dynamic quarterback Kevin Jennings. The next AP Top 25 rankings are scheduled for release Tuesday.
