​COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — If Jeremiah Smith gets invited to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist in December, the Ohio State wide receiver can point to Saturday’s performance against Illinois as a big reason why.Smith became the first receiver in the Buckeyes’ storied history to have double-digit receptions for at least 200 yards and score four touchdowns.The junior finished with 12 catches for 217 yards, and his four TDs tied a school record as No. 7 Ohio State opened Big Ten Conference play with a 42-19 victory over Illinois.“I think when you looked at him the first couple years, it was hard to say, ‘OK, how can he get better?’ But you’re seeing it,” coach Ryan Day said. “He did it in a variety of ways today. He makes a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone, wins on a fade, a home run post, and then a double move.”The biggest improvement in Smith’s game has been yards after the catch. He had 53 on Saturday, including 27 on his 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter that extended the Buckeyes’ lead to 14-0.“I feel like I got better this year on the little things I need to do here and there. My route-running has improved a lot from my freshman year to now,” he said.Breaking down Smith’s touchdownsTwo plays after Julian Sayin connected with Smith for a 31-yard completion to the Illinois 12 on the opening drive, Smith got leverage on Illini defensive back Juice Clark and hauled in a 7-yard TD to give the Buckeyes a score on their first possession for the third straight game.On the next drive, Smith showed off his big-play capability. The 72-yard touchdown was the second-longest reception of Smith’s career.On first-and-10, Smith ran a go route down the middle and got behind Mac Resetich. He caught it at the Illinois 27, did a double move at the 19 to spin Resetich around in coverage, and took it to the house.“I can say I feel bad for him. When I did that, I just started laughing,” Smith said.Sayin — who was 27 of 36 for 367 yards — said they worked on that route this week. And Day said the play showed how Smith’s routes have become more refined.“The double move, I mean, he spun the guy around, which was well timed and thought out,” Day said. “In the past, he’s so fast sometimes he would run the route and still do a great job, but you’re seeing a little bit more definition on the route. And so now those guys are having a hard time staying with him.”The junior then had a highlight grab with 4:12 remaining in the second quarter to put Ohio State up 21-7. On first-and-goal at the 9, Smith got his left foot in near the corner of the end zone while Tywan Cox blanketed him in coverage.Smith had eight catches for 150 yards and three TDs in the first half. It is the second time this season and third time in his career he has had at least 150 receiving yards and two TDs in a half.He became the fifth player in school history with four receiving scores with 10:07 remaining in the fourth quarter when he