Ohio State First Thoughts: Buckeyes cruise past UCLA without Carnell Tate, with Jeremiah Smith limited

OSU rolled to another win, but have major injury questions

Running back Bo Jackson celebrates a touchdown in the first half of Ohio State’s win against UCLA. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State athletics)

COLUMBUS — First thoughts on Ohio State’s 48-10 win against UCLA on Saturday night in Ohio Stadium.

1. Ohio State needs to get healthy at receiver.

Carnell Tate missed his second-straight game with an undisclosed injury. Jeremiah Smith was a game-time decision, played a few series and made a couple of highlight catches, but shut it down after the Buckeyes built a 17-0 lead in the first half.

Neither player is expected to be impacted long-term, but the Buckeyes have one more game before the regular-season finale against Michigan and what they hope is a Big Ten Championship plus another long postseason run after it. Stacking wins would be difficult without the country’s best receiver tandem.

Smith walked gingerly while roaming on the sidelines, but didn’t seem hampered much while actually on the field. He made a one-handed catch on the sideline on Ohio State’s opening drive, looking like his normal, unguardable self. He later made a catch on third-and-long with a defender draped all over him, helping sustain a touchdown drive. He finished with four catches for 40 yards.

Tate missed last week’s game against Purdue after going through pregame warmups, where he reportedly experienced some muscle tightness and was held out as a precaution. OSU didn’t give Tate the chance to give it a go against UCLA. He spent the game in street clothes on the sideline.