Three Stars of the Game: Julian Sayin, Riley Pettijohn and Jeremiah Smith Earn Top Honors for Their Performance Against Grambling State

By 11W Staff on September 7, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Three Stars of the Game
2 Comments

Another Ohio State win means another Three Stars of the Game.

This week, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, linebacker Riley Pettijohn and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith were the Buckeyes' top performers in the team's 70-0 win over the Grambling State Tigers.

First Star: Julian Sayin

None of Julian Sayin’s passes hit the ground on Saturday.

Sayin started the game with an Ohio State record 16 consecutive completions. Sayin then had a moment he wishes he could have back, as Grambling State cornerback Tyrell Raby intercepted his pass intended for Carnell Tate. Add in two more connections with Tate and Brandon Inniss, and Sayin had this incredible statline: 18-of-19 passing for 306 yards and four touchdowns.

"It was awesome," Sayin said of his performance. "I had a lot of fun today. I can't say enough about the receiving room, the running backs and the offensive line — just everyone doing their part in making the offense move."

Second Star: Riley Pettijohn

Helloooooo, Riley Pettijohn.

After appearing on special teams in the season opener, Pettijohn made his defensive debut for the Buckeyes on Saturday. He certainly made the most of his opportunities. 

On the opening play of the second half, Pettijohn recorded and scoop-and-score after Kayden McDonald forced a fumble. Not long after, the Texas native deflected a pass and added his own forced fumble.

After the game, Day said Pettijohn “seemed to pop” against Grambling State. While Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and Payton Pierce are established as Ohio State’s top three linebackers, it’d be hard to believe Pettijohn’s performance on Saturday wouldn’t put him in the conversation for more playing time moving forward.

Third Star: Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith had six catches for 43 yards in the season opener. However, he could have had eight catches and many more yards if he hadn’t dropped two passes that hit him in the hands.

When asked after the Grambling State game what he needed to do better on Saturday, Smith said, “Just catch the damn ball.” Against the Tigers, Smith did that over and over again, as the star receiver hauled in five passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

Smith’s first score was the second-longest completion in Ohio State history, as his 87-yard connection with Sayin trails only Kenny Guiton’s 90-yard toss to Devin Smith in the Buckeyes’ 2013 win over Cal.

His second score didn’t generate headlines, but it was still cool!

ELEVEN WARRIORS THREE STARS OF THE GAME
OPPONENT FIRST STAR / ★ SECOND STAR / ★★ THIRD STAR / ★★★
TEXAS ARVELL REESE, LB
9 tackles (4 solo),1 sack 		JERMAINE MATHEWS JR., CB
3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU 		CARNELL TATE, WR
2 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD
GRAMBLING STATE JULIAN SAYIN, QB
18-19, 306 yards, 4 TD 		RILEY PETTIJOHN, LB
1 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD 		JEREMIAH SMITH, WR
5 catches, 119 yards, 2 TD

As the season continues, we’ll track the stars (or points) each Ohio State player receives in 2025. Here’s how we’ll do it: Each time a Buckeye earns the first star of the game, that Buckeye adds three points to their season total. Then, the second star and third star each add two points and one point to their totals.

ELEVEN WARRIORS THREE STARS OF THE GAME
RANK PLAYER FIRST STAR / ★ SECOND STAR / ★★ THIRD STAR / ★★★ POINTS
T1 ARVELL REESE 1 0 0 3
T1 JULIAN SAYIN 1 0 0 3
T2 JERMAINE MATHEWS JR. 0 1 0 2
T2 RILEY PETTIJOHN 0 1 0 2
T3 CARNELL TATE 0 0 1 1
T3 JEREMIAH SMITH 0 0 1 1
2 Comments

Ohio State Blows Out Grambling State, 70-0, As Julian Sayin Throws for 306 Yards, Four Touchdowns in One Half

Jeremiah Smith scoring his 87-yard touchdown

Five Things: Top-Ranked Ohio State Blasts Grambling State, 70-0, in Ohio Stadium

Bo Jackson
View 2 Comments