Ohio State’s wide receiver depth took a big hit before Saturday’s Rose Bowl with the opt-outs of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. As it turns out, all the Buckeyes needed was Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The sophomore was a supernova against the Utah secondary, hauling in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He set the record for most receiving yards in any bowl game in FBS history, and had six catches of 30 yards or more.
Smith-Njigba particularly shined in the second quarter, with touchdown grabs of 50 and 52 yards in consecutive plays. He also had a 49-yard catch in the same quarter, but fumbled inside the 10-yard line trying to get into the end zone.