Week 9 of the college football season was another record-setting one for Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. Arguably the best player in the Big Ten, Smith set the new Big Ten receiving touchdown record with his 40th career touchdown catch, although it came in a losing effort as Ohio State was upset by USC on the road in Los Angeles on Saturday night. While things may not be going quite according to plan for Ohio State in terms of the Big Ten title race and College Football Playoff picture, Smith still gives Ohio State some reasons to feel optimistic about getting through these rough patches.

Indiana's Charlie Becker continues to amaze as well in Bloomington. Faced with an injury to starting quarterback Josh Hoover, Indiana turned to a backup quarterback in the second half of a defensive battle with Minnesota. Charlie Becker came up with big catches to help the Hoosiers avoid a devastating upset at home at the hands of the Gophers, and he has risen to being the Big Ten's second-leading receiver in the process.

Here are the Big Ten's top 10 leaders in receiving yards following the results of Week 9.

1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a pass in front of Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
  • Receiving yards: 1067
  • Receiving TDs: 13 (leads Big Ten)

2. Charlie Becker, Indiana

Indiana's Charlie Becker (80) runs for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Western Kentucky football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
  • Receiving yards: 875
  • Receiving TDs: 9

3. Colin Dixon, Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini running back Jordan Anderson (23) gives teammate and wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) a hand after Dixon scored a touchdown during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium.
  • Receiving yards: 781
  • Receiving TDs: 10

4. KJ Duff, Rutgers

Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Kj Duff (8) reacts after a touchdown reception during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
  • Receiving yards: 774
  • Receiving TDs: 9

5. Griffin Wilde, Northwestern

Oct 17, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Griffin Wilde (17) runs through Michigan State Spartans defenders for a first down during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
  • Receiving yards: 761
  • Receiving TDs: 5

6. Nick Marsh, Indiana

Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Nick Marsh (11) runs after a catch for a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Oct. 10, 2026.
  • Receiving yards: 669
  • Receiving TDs: 8

7. Asaad Waseem, Purdue

Oct 10, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Asaad Waseem (19) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
  • Receiving yards: 652
  • Receiving TDs: 1

8. Chris Durr Jr., Maryland

Oct 3, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. (13) scores a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
  • Receiving yards: 638
  • Receiving TDs: 4

9. Chris Lawson, Washington

Oct 31, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Chris Lawson (8) catches a pass against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Andrew Marshall (7) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
  • Receiving yards: 638
  • Receiving TDs: 3

10. JJ Buchanan, Michigan

Michigan quarterback Tommy Carr (14), left, celebrates a first down against Penn State with wide receiver JJ Buchanan (6) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.
  • Receiving yards: 602
  • Receiving TDs: 5

Who is Penn State's leading receiver after Week 9?

Oct 17, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chase Sowell (0) makes a catch defended by by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Jyaire Hill (0) in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Despite not playing this past weekend due to an injury suffered in the Michigan game two weeks ago, Chase Sowell continues to be Penn State's leading receiver with 510 receiving yards (good for 14th in the Big Ten). Penn State head coach Matt Campbell is hopeful that Sowell may be good to go next week in a big road game at Washington. Campbell is also anticipating a return from Koby Howard soon. Howard has been out of action for the past month and will be a welcome return when he is ready to go.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten receiving yardage leaders after Week 9

Source: Yahoo Sports