Jeremiah Smith scored two touchdowns in a massive first half for Ohio State against Oregon.
Designing a play to get Jeremiah Smith in space is always a sage decision. On Ohio State's first drive against Oregon, it bore explosive results.
On the Buckeyes' third play of their College Football Playoff quarterfinal clash with Oregon, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly dialed up a play-action with a slide route for Smith, leaving him ample room to run. Smith secured the catch, burst through two converging defenders and glided 45 yards to the end zone to put Ohio State ahead 7-0.
JEREMIAH SMITH TD
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2025
OHIO STATE SCORES ON THEIR OPENING DRIVE pic.twitter.com/UC7BQAzReT
Smith added a spectacular downfield catch over multiple Duck defenders on Ohio State's second drive, though the Buckeyes had to punt the ball later. In just two possessions, Smith collected three catches for 86 yards and a score to start the game. He was far from finished.
The Florida native broke wide open on the back side of an Oregon coverage and Howard lofted a rainbow into his chest, securing a 43-yard touchdown that gave him five receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns less than five minutes into the second quarter.
JEREMIAH SMITH IS UNREAL
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025
HE FINDS THE END ZONE AGAIN pic.twitter.com/N8J1f9giQF
The first-half outburst continued a spectacular freshman year for Smith, who already set Ohio State's freshman receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns record en route to the first-ever 1,000-yard receiving season by a freshman in school history.
Stay tuned to Eleven Warriors for more updates from Ohio State's rematch with Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl.
