Tag: Will Howard

Ohio State football quarterback Will Howard accepts Senior Bowl invite

Will Howard will have a Senior Bowl appearance after the season. #GoBucks

Ohio State quarterback, Will Howard, will be heading down to Mobile, Alabama in 2025 for the Senior Bowl. He has officially accepted his invitation.

After spending four seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats, Howard brought his talents to Columbus, where he has thrived with one of the best receiving units in the country to throw to.

Howard finished the regular season with 27 touchdowns, leading the Big Ten. He had 2,860 yards as well, both totals improving on his final season with the Wildcats in 2023.

That said, here is the official release from the Reese’s Senior Bowl account on Twitter/X.

The Buckeyes still have some season left as they will play for a bowl in several weeks. Which bowl is still to be determined though as they are widely expected to make the College Football Playoff.

As for Howard at the Senior Bowl, his stock should rise with the numerous scouts that attend. Although he’s not projected to be a top pick, there’s certainly a chance his accuracy and demeanor could ensure he is a late-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Ohio State football vs. Michigan Wolverines: 3 and out halftime observations

Ohio State football vs. Michigan Wolverines: Halftime observations #GoBucks

The Ohio State football team is heading into halftime tied with the Michigan Wolverines at 10-10, and one of these teams was not ready to play. The Buckeyes were expected to win by more than three touchdowns and now I think they are just hoping to come away with a win.

There is not of positive to takeaway from this game other than the fact that the offense showed some life with its last drive earning the tying touchdown. Quarterback Will Howard has had an up and down game and went down briefly due to a serious hit on a q-run.

The offense has also not really gotten on track, especially in the running game, but we’ll dive into that. Here are three halftime observations from Ohio State’s first half against Michigan, one in which the teams headed to the locker room tied at 10-10.

The receivers are open

USA TODAY SMG

Will Johnson is not playing and the Michigan defensive backfield can clearly not compete with these Ohio State receivers. Jeremiah Smith looks like he found his groove a bit and Carnell Tate is open almost ever play. I would expect the Buckeyes to lean into the passing attack more in the second half.

Will Howard is healthy

Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7) tackles Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) with the help of Michigan Wolverines linebacker Ernest Hausmann (15) on a run during the second quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

The whole stadium went silent when Howard went down, but he is back and better than ever. After throwing an early interception, Howard looks like a new man and heads into halftime completing 12 of 18 passing attempts for 119 yards.

Don’t expect an explosion

This rivalry has historically been a barnburner the last decade, but this year is not going to play out that way. Ohio State has the ability to embarrass Michigan in the second half, but after witnessing the last three years, we just need to hope Ryan Day can get the win.

Will Howard elevates Ohio State vs. Michigan above just a normal rivalry

Quarterback Will Howard elevated Ohio State vs. Michigan from a rivalry to a way of life when discussing the upcoming battle.

Will Howard will be facing Michigan on Saturday, and despite having three top-five battles already under his belt with the Ohio State Buckeyes, most fans would argue this is, by far, the biggest yet for the fifth-year signal caller.

Despite spending four seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats, who play in the Big 12, he never crossed paths with the Wolverines. He seems pretty excited to leave his mark on the rivalry.

When sitting down with the media, Howard called the rivalry a “way of life.” You can review the entire video by Eleven Warriors, which has far more than just that quote, below.

Howard isn’t wrong either, and if you look up “biggest rivalries in sports” on Google, Ohio State vs. Michigan is typically at the top of the list, so it’s a game that means quite a bit to thousands of people.

Set to captain the Buckeyes, Howard knows the expectations put on him, and he’s ready to deliver. He also spoke on how he feels joining the Buckeyes this season was a terrific decision.

With a conference-high 26 touchdowns on the season, Howard has been a star and appears to be the caliber of leader that can captain this team to a National Championship, something we’ll find out more of in the coming weeks.

Will Howard earns top Pro Football Focus passer grade for Week 12 effort

Will Howard went off against Northwestern, and he earned the top passer grade in the country because of his performance.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Northwestern Wildcats squared off at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, and as expected, the former came out with another easy Big Ten victory.

While their defense continued to perform at a high level and the running back duo did their part as well, quarterback Will Howard was the star of the show, earning the top passer grade from Pro Football Focus in Week 12.

Howard ended the game with 247 passing yards and two touchdowns, going 15-of-24 as a passer. Freshman Jeremiah Smith accounted for nearly half of those yards, ending with four receptions for 100 yards.

While there’s really no talk of Howard in the conversation for Heisman, he has quietly put together a complete resume, throwing just five interceptions and having a conference-high 24 passing touchdowns. He also has 2,484 passing yards and should pass his total from last season (2,643) against the Hoosiers on Saturday.

Now, those might not be like the video game numbers Cam Ward is putting up, but they are among the most efficient in the country.

Pat McAfee hypes up Ohio State QB Will Howard on ESPN’s College Gameday

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been led by Will Howard, and so far this season, Pat McAfee likes what he sees from the quarterback.

The Ohio State Buckeyes saw Kyle McCord start last season, and after Marvin Harrison Jr. left for the NFL and McCord transferred to Syracuse, the Buckeyes were left looking for options.

That’s where you insert Will Howard, a Kansas State transfer who spent four years with the Wildcats.

Howard ended last season with 24 touchdowns and 2,643 passing yards. He was impressive, and he’s mimicked those performances with the Buckeyes in his first and final season in Columbus.

While Howard did have a questionable decision against Oregon, he has, for most of the season, played at a high level and has a Big Ten-high 19 touchdowns (technically tied with Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel).

On ESPN’s College Gameday, Pat McAfee praised Howard, also commenting on his ability to hurt defenses on the ground. Overall, McAfee seemed to think Howard has what it takes to have the Buckeyes in National Championship contention.

McAfee has had some hot takes throughout the years, but this one is correct. Howard is a proven veteran quarterback that plays clean football and doesn’t turn the ball over often.

That’s what you need when playing against competent opponents that also make few critical mistakes He should be able to keep this Ohio State football team playing at an elite level throughout the remainder of the season.

Ohio State football’s offense line played “unbelievably” well

After the game, Will Howard made sure that everyone understood just how well the Ohio State offensive line played.

Ohio State football put together its most impressive win of the season Saturday, a 20-13 victory over the then-No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions.

In a road match that featured a record crowd at Beaver Stadium, the Buckeyes were walking into a rowdy environment for a noon FOX kickoff, but they proved strong and showed immense resilience, especially considering they started down 10-0 after quarterback Will Howard through a first-quarter pick-six.

What can the win be attributed to though? Well, if you ask Howard, it was the team’s incredible offensive line play.

The Buckeyes’ o-line has been a banged-up unit, and without Josh Simmons, there has been some shake-up in who starts. Zen Michalski was on the injury report as well, so it was certainly a question mark entering the game.

They showed up in a big way though, and Howard certainly appreciated his time in the pocket.

However, it was more evident on the ground as the Buckeyes went for 179 rushing yards. No Penn State rusher topped 50, and both backs for the Buckeyes eclipsed that number.

Will Howard’s pick-6 had fans joking about his dreams to play for Penn State

Well, it was his dream.

While Ohio State got the last laugh against Penn State on Saturday, Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard got some friendly ribbing for throwing a pick-6 on his first pass against the Nittany Lions.

Penn State cornerback Zion Lacy took one to the house on a Howard interception, which was a point of surprising irony since the quarterback had dreamed of playing for the Nittany Lions growing up.

The irony of the pick-6 wasn’t lost on college football fans, as Howard technically got his wish to throw a touchdown for Penn State. It just so happened the touchdown came with Howard wearing an Ohio State uniform.

The Buckeyes got the win, 20-13, and Howard technically proved Penn State wrong in the end. However, the jokes were still pretty good.

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Ravens among NFL teams in attendance for Penn State vs. Ohio State matchup

Baltimore Ravens among NFL teams in attendance for Penn State vs. Ohio State matchup

No. 3 ranked Penn State (7-0) is hosting the No. 4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1) on Saturday at Beaver Stadium, and the NFL scouts and executives are out and taking in the star power on both squads.

The Nittany Lions’ top draft prospects include defensive end Abdul Carter — a potential top-10 pick — as well as quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kayton Allen, tight end Tyler Warren, defensive tackle Zane Durant, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and safety Jaylen Reed.

For Ohio State, Will Howard (QB), TreVeyon Henderson (RB), Quinshon Judkins (RB), Emeka Egbuka (WR), and Donovan Jackson (OL) are among the players to watch.

Replay review nullifies Ohio State touchdown at Penn State

Replay review negates an Ohio State touchdown

Ohio State thought it had a 20-10 lead over Penn State in the second quarter on Saturday at Happy Valley.

Will Howard appeared to cross the goal like for what looked like the Buckeyes’ third straight touchdown.

The officials signaled touchdown. However, further review saw that Howard fumbled the football on the play.

It was up to the replay booth to make the final determination.

The decision worked in Penn State’s favor as it was ruled Howard fumbled the football in the field of play and it flew over the pylon and out of the end zone.

Instead of an Ohio State score, Penn State had the ball on a touchback trailing 14-10.

Gus Johnson delivered another quintessentially epic call of Penn State’s pick-6 on Will Howard

“Ohhh, it’s picked off! Down the sideline! Un-be-lievable!”

While No. 3 Penn State‘s offense sometimes has a tendency to get off to a slow start in the first quarter before ultimately stepping up, the Nittany Lions’ defense regularly reminds fans why it’s one of the best in the country.

That defense opened Saturday’s game against No. 4 Ohio State with a strong start, including scoring the matchup’s first touchdown.

After Penn State kicked a field goal on its opening drive, the Buckeyes took over, and on third-and-5 at the Ohio State 30, quarterback Will Howard’s first pass of the game was picked off by Zion Tracy. In the perfect spot for an interception, Tracy took off and returned it for a 31-yard pick-six.

It was an impressive play, and Fox Sports broadcaster Gus Johnson absolutely lost his mind calling it. It sounded like he almost lost his voice too with a perfectly quintessential Gus Johnson kind of call.

“Ohhh, it’s picked off! Down the sideline! Un-be-lievable! Touchdown Penn State! Zion Tracy!”

Gotta love when Gus Johnson is on the call.

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