Ohio State Football's Controversial Touchdown Overturned

Buckeyes' annual student appreciation practice ends with disputed call

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:06pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and abstract shapes, capturing the fragmented and contested nature of the overturned touchdown call.The disputed touchdown catch highlights the need for clear communication and transparency in officiating, even during practice sessions.Columbus Today

During Ohio State football's annual student appreciation practice, a touchdown catch by star receiver Jeremiah Smith was initially ruled a score, but officials later overturned the call after further review. The controversial moment created a buzz at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, leading the coaching staff to address the mistake during the next practice.

Why it matters

Ohio State is one of the top college football programs in the country, and any controversy or disputed calls during their practices and games generate significant attention. The overturned touchdown catch highlights the importance of officiating and replay review, even in scrimmage situations, as well as the need for clear communication between coaches and officials.

The details

On the final 11-on-11 snap of the student appreciation practice, quarterback Julian Sayin threw a pass to Jeremiah Smith, who made a contested catch in the end zone. The officials initially ruled it a touchdown, but after further review, they overturned the call. Head coach Ryan Day joked about the Buckeyes' attempts to understand the review process, saying they never received a clear explanation for the decision.

  • The incident occurred during Ohio State's annual student appreciation practice on Saturday.
  • Head coach Ryan Day addressed the overturned call during his Monday press conference.

The players

Jeremiah Smith

A star wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

Julian Sayin

The starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

Ryan Day

The head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

Matt Patricia

The defensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

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What they’re saying

“'Under further review... the call was overturned.'”

— Ryan Day, Head Coach

“'We never got anything back, so we were frustrated about that.'”

— Ryan Day, Head Coach

What’s next

The Ohio State coaching staff plans to address the officiating mistake during the team's next practice, with the offense being forced to run gassers as punishment.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency in officiating, even during practice sessions. The overturned touchdown call created a buzz among players and coaches, underscoring the need for consistent and well-explained decisions from officials to maintain trust and credibility within the program.