Jeremiah Smith, OSU Stun CFB Fans with 1st-Half Domination of ...

5 days ago

Bleacher Report

Jeremiah Smith OSU Stun CFB Fans with 1stHalf Domination of

Ohio State started off strong during its College Football Playoff matchup with Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday. The Buckeyes' offense was unstoppable…

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Ohio State started off strong during its College Football Playoff matchup with Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.

The Buckeyes' offense was unstoppable throughout the first half of the contest, jumping out to an early 34-0 lead before Oregon cut the lead to 34-8 entering halftime. It was an impressive effort against a Ducks team that entered the game with a perfect 13-0 record.

Quarterback Will Howard completed 11 of his first 18 pass attempts for 269 yards and three touchdowns without committing a turnover.

ESPN College Football @ESPNCFB
HOWARD ➡️ EGBUKA ???? BUCKEYES UP 14-0 OVER THE DUCKS ???? pic.twitter.com/nx3yuMHX4K

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
WILL HOWARD 42-YARD TD STRIKE ????BUCKEYES ARE ROLLING ???? pic.twitter.com/EKVA5YilYT

His favorite option was Jeremiah Smith, as the true freshman wide receiver thrived against Oregon's secondary. Smith caught five of his first eight targets for 161 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard score near the start of the first quarter.

ESPN College Football @ESPNCFB
JEREMIAH SMITH TD ????OHIO STATE SCORES ON THEIR OPENING DRIVE‼️ pic.twitter.com/UC7BQAzReT

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Oregon trying to stop Jeremiah Smith: pic.twitter.com/vXnuhqXzsV

Dane Brugler @dpbrugler
Julio Jones, oops I mean, Jeremiah Smith would go No. 1 in this draft.No doubt in my mind. https://t.co/bMyxhuHnPN

Quincy Avery @QuincyAvery
Jeremiah Smith would be the first pick as a true freshman.

Mekka Don @MekkaDonMusic
Oregon's DBs with Jeremiah Smith pic.twitter.com/BT7hQu0heD

Matt Miller @nfldraftscout
Jeremiah Smith would be WR1 in this draft. He'd be WR1 in next year's draft. And he gets to compete with Ryan Williams to be WR1 in his own (2027) draft class.

matt @sponhourm
I would draft Jeremiah Smith 1st overall even if I had to wait 2 more years while he played at OSU

Field Yates @FieldYates
Jeremiah Smith is ridiculous!!!

Todd McShay @McShay13
Not sure what else there is to say about Jeremiah Smith. Best WR in the country as a true freshman. Just special to watch!

Josiah Johnson @KingJosiah54
"Can yall stop Jeremiah Smith?"Oregon defense: pic.twitter.com/Dqj181j9AL

Fans and athletes alike were shocked by the Buckeyes' dominant start against the top-seeded Ducks.

LeBron James @KingJames
????????????????????????????????. KEEP IT GOING!!!! BELT TO ASS

Ja Morant @JaMorant
this game should've been first

Heather Dinich @CFBHeather
Buckeyes look like the best team in the country.

Big Cat @BarstoolBigCat
I may have to personally put Oregon back in the PAC 12 if they keep getting blown out like this

Inaction Bronson, a habitual pot stirrer @SwooshMcDuck
Oregon Football today… pic.twitter.com/qlYySIDI7n

Lucy Rohden @lucy_rohden
pic.twitter.com/rY7gk69ctS

Louis Riddick @LRiddickESPN
Ohio State opening a can…

Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShow
Ohio State vs Oregon pic.twitter.com/erKwX6eFES

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Oregon defense in the first half pic.twitter.com/qCI1gMyj3o

Ohio State came close to handing Oregon its first loss of the year during the previous meeting between the two schools on Oct. 12, ultimately suffering a narrow 32-31 defeat.

In the second clash between the Buckeyes and Ducks with the season on the line for both teams, head coach Ryan Day's squad made an early statement.