PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — The blur that swept across the field at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday wasn’t a trick of light reflecting off the San Gabriel Mountains. It was Jeremiah Smith, a freshman at Ohio State University.

Smith set a Buckeyes freshman record with 187 yards and two touchdowns on just seven catches in Wednesday’s win over Oregon, showcasing the big-play skills that make him one of college football’s most exciting players.

The Ducks were left to wonder where their game plan had gone wrong, especially after Smith himself promised big plays downfield in the week leading up to the game.

“Overall, I think they did a good job early,” Oregon linebacker Jeff Bassa said of Ohio State. “They caught us in some coverages where the receivers were able to get downfield.”

And what was open was the dynamic that Smith had. Often.

That included a 43-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter that made Ohio State 24-0, which included a celebratory nod to prominent Ohio State fan LeBron James.

“They had a great plan,” Oregon defensive lineman Dontae Manning said. “They came and performed and they were the better team tonight. We just have to live with that.”

If this magical run ends for the Buckeyes, he will still have two more years of college football available, which is why the young Smith is already talking to NFL scouts as a potential cross-generational receiver prospect. Oregon fell victim to its rising star on Wednesday and was forced out of the playoffs.

“He’s strong, attacks the ball in the air as well as any receiver I’ve ever seen,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “The guy is NFL ready. He is so talented and so special. And Will Howard did a great job getting him the ball. He is tough and physical. He has all the tools. A really talented player.”

James Crepea of ​​The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.

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— Ryan Clarke covers that Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to this Ducks Confidential Podcast or subscribe Ducks Roundup Newsletter.