Heading into Week 9, an emphasis for the Oregon Ducks was to sustain drives with assistant quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson calling the plays in the wake of offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer's firing. Sustaining drives is a broad term, but much of it involves getting the running game going early and often.

The Ducks attempted to do that in the first half, with starting running backs Jordon Davison (three carries, 17 yards) and Dierre Hill Jr. (four carries, 21 yards) each getting opportunities but not quite realizing their full potential. When Davison suffered a lower-body injury after catching a pass from quarterback Dylan Raiola, some hope of the Ducks establishing a competent run game diminished — until Brandon Smith had something to say about it.

Davison and Hill both didn't return to the game in the second half due to injuries, and Smith stepped in and took advantage of his newfound opportunities.

The true freshman, a four-star in the 2026 class, carried the ball eight times for 82 yards and a touchdown, the second of his career. Smith showed off his pure playmaking abilities on a play late in the third quarter in particular, a called toss play to the left. The 6-foot, 203-pounder didn't have much going, reversing field where he suddenly found daylight.

On a day in which the Ducks made a number of explosive, exciting plays offensively, Smith's might've been the most impressive.

In addition to his work on the ground, Smith was also a factor in the receiving game for Raiola. The freshman caught four passes for 32 yards, giving him 12 touches for 114 total yards and a score in easily the best game of Smith's young Oregon career.

Raiola (22-of-31, 336 yards, three touchdowns) and wide receiver Dakorien Moore (seven catches, 128 yards, two touchdowns) each had big games in Oregon's 34-26 win over Northwestern on Saturday, but Smith proved the most vital in the absences of Davison and Hill.

Smith was an easy choice for the Ducks Wire Player of the Game honor in Week 9 against Northwestern.