Jaxon Smith-Njigba on breaking college football record, playing without fellow stars

Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba spoke after their Rose Bowl win over Utah about breaking records and playing without teammates who entered the draft. During the 48-45 thrilling win, Smith-Njigba caught 15 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba on record-setting night

“We’ve just got a great group of individuals,” said Smith-Njigba after the game. “We’re bonding. Next guys up, that’s just how we’ve always felt. I’m excited for the young guys to play and we stepped up and that’s all we can ask for.

“I’m just blessed by God. Opportunities came my way and it’s what I prayed for so I’m not really surprised. I can’t be surprised with what I pray for, so I’m just really blessed right now.

“This was a must-win for us. We had a tough loss last game, so this was a must-win for us. Our guys did it. We fought back. I’m just very happy for our team and Buckeye nation.”

Multiple records set

By the end of the game, Smith-Njigba had 15 receptions and 347 yards along with three touchdowns.

Smith-Njigba shattered the previous Ohio State bowl receiving record set by Cris Carter. Carter had 172 yards in the 1985 Rose Bowl. After passing Carter’s record, Smith-Njigba pushed past the Rose Bowl receiving record and now holds the record for the most yards receiving in the storied Rose Bowl’s history.

Smith-Njigba also broke another trio of Ohio State team records during the game, surpassing David Boston’s 1998 season total of 1,435 yards. He also surpassed Terry Glenn’s individual game record of 253 yards receiving that he set in 1995. With 95 catches total on the season after Saturday night, he also surpassed the record set by Parris Campbell in 2018 who had the Ohio State record of 90 catches in a single season.

Earlier in the season, the young star broke a team record for single-game receptions with `15 catches against Nebraska which he tied again during the Rose Bowl. While it was still early in the season, Smith-Njigba’s explosiveness was on full display even then. At this point, a new part of watching Ohio State games will involve watching how many more records Smith-Njigba will be able to break.