Tag: Will Howard

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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Watch Will Howard connect with Emeka Egbuka to get Ohio State on the scoreboard

Nice connection for the score #GoBucks

After a horrific start, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard made up for his pick-six by connecting with Emeka Egbuka on a wheel route for the score against Penn State. Chip Kelly used some creativity to get the Buckeyes into scoring position by running a speed option and getting other chunk plays. So far, it seems like the revamped offensive line is doing a fine job opening lanes and giving Howard time to work.

Ohio State started out the game by digging itself into a 10-0 hole. But credit to the team and coaching staff for not panicking and coming back with the methodical drive to bring the Bucks within three points of the Nittany Lions. Check out the sweet pass play below that got OSU on the board.

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Ohio State football’s Will Howard among 35-QB group for this award

Ohio State football’s dual-threat quarterback Will Howard has been selected as one of 35 QBs for this prestigious award.

Ohio State football is one of the most well-known brands in the sport, and it has traditionally been able to get high-profile quarterbacks to Columbus.

From Troy Smith to Justin Fields to Will Howard, the Buckeyes have been able to have some talented players, and while Howard hasn’t put up video game-like numbers this season, he still has been able to efficiently lead the Buckeyes.

Given his leadership and poise, Howard has been named among the 35 quarterbacks eligible for the Davey O’Brien Award, which has been given to the best quarterback in college football since 1977.

There are a plethora of other Big Ten quarterbacks on the list including Penn State’s Drew Allar, Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel.

The pool is talented, and Howard is among them. He has the Buckeyes ranked as the 4th-best team in the country and could make a statement, going for a homecoming to take on Penn State this weekend (he was born in Pennsylvania).

That said, with his second top-five matchup of the season, Howard’s legacy will be defined by these few games, and his chance to win the award may hinge on them as well.

Will Howard sounds off in cryptic message to Penn State football

Will Howard wanted to go to Penn State, but the Nittany Lions didn’t want him. Now, he clearly wants revenge.

Will Howard is going to play the biggest game of his career Saturday.

While one could make a reasonable argument that taking on the then-No. 3 Oregon Ducks was the biggest challenge, the Buckeyes could be facing elimination from the 12-team College Football Playoffs if they lose this second game and aren’t able to play for the Big Ten Championship.

Much of how the Buckeyes perform will rest on Howard’s shoulders, and he has a little more motivation than usual to live up to the hype. Howard was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2020 and committed to Kansas State. His hometown though to no surprise was in Pennsylvania.

More specifically, he went to Downingtown West in Downingtown, PA. Howard wanted to go to Penn State, and he is clearly keeping the receipts.

Howard has thrown for 1,795 passing yards through seven games and has 17 touchdowns. His ability to run is what has separated him from the Buckeyes quarterback last season, Kyle McCord.

However, as McCord didn’t, Howard must show up when the lights are brightest. That’s how he is going to be remembered in Columbus. Saturday against the No. 3 Penn State will be another massive test for the dual-threat quarterback.