Will Howard is no stranger to adversity.
The fifth-year quarterback is in the midst of the best statistical season of his career while leading Ohio State to a 10-2 record and No. 8 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Still, he’s had some moments he would rather forget.
There was the Oregon game when he attempted to stop the clock with a slide that was half a second too late. There was the pick six on his first pass against Penn State and the fumble into the end zone in the second quarter of the same game.
Will Howard slides while there’s no time left on the clock ending the game
OREGON WINS 🤯🍿
pic.twitter.com/Qb5tKgvZ4h— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) October 13, 2024
Those were learning moments for Howard, and each time he responded.
After the Oregon loss, he threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns while completing 81 percent of his passes in a 21-17 win over Nebraska. Most importantly, he led a nine-play, 75-yard fourth-quarter drive that ended with a game-winning touchdown pass to Quinshon Judkins.
After the turnovers against Penn State, he bounced back with a strong second half and guided the Buckeyes to win over a top-five team on the road.
“One thing about Will is he has a positive mindset and he’s very resilient,” coach Ryan Day said.
The adversity he’s currently dealing with, though, is far worse.
Ohio State ended its regular season with an unfathomable 13-10 loss to Michigan in which the offense turned five red zone trips into just 10 points. Howard had his worst game in an Ohio State jersey, completing 19 of 33 passes for 175 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was at one point taken out of the game and evaluated for a concussion but was cleared to return.
The loss has been hard on the Kansas State transfer, who was vocal about his desire to end the Buckeyes’ three-game losing streak to Michigan.
“It hurts man, not going to lie,” said Howard, in his first media availability since the end of the regular season. “We still feel it, but we’ve moved on now.”
Howard’s ability to do just that will be crucial to Ohio State’s chances to beat Tennessee in the first College Football Playoff game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday night.
He is accustomed to this type of adversity.
During his four years at Kansas State, he was in and out of the starting lineup, won a Big 12 championship and lost some games he wanted back. But he learned a lot, more than just how to run an RPO and read defenses.
The Pennsylvania native wears his heart on his sleeve. It was obvious after the Oregon loss when he had his head in his hands and it was on display after the Indiana win when he ran around celebrating with teammates and yelled “Google that” into a camera — a shot at Indiana coach Curt Cignetti.
He admits those emotions often affected his performance while at Kansas State.
“I let mistakes in practices, games or whatever it may be, I let that affect me down the road,” he said.
Five years of experience in college football has worked that out of Howard.
Jeff Christensen, his quarterback trainer, loves Howard’s ability to bounce back from bad plays or bad games.
“Will has the same DNA and the great ones all do,” Christensen said. “Their focus goes up 2.5 times and that’s because they don’t overreact.”
The Michigan loss wasn’t something he could just let go after a day or two. After the game, he spoke to the media but didn’t have a lot to say. He didn’t have an answer when asked what he could say to rally a team that was both heartbroken after the loss and riled up after the postgame brawl.
“I’m going to go get with my family and regroup,” he said. “I love this team and this university. I’m sorry I couldn’t get this one done.”
While it was difficult to think about at that moment, Howard knows he came to Ohio State for more than just the Michigan game. Ohio State still has everything in front of it. Despite some struggles, this team still has the talent to win a national championship.
That is Howard’s focus, even though the frustration from the Michigan loss can still be heard in his voice.
But to reach that ultimate goal he knows he has to be at his best.
Yes, the goal is to get back to the efficient player who completed at least 80 percent of his passes four times and didn’t throw two interceptions in a game until the Michigan loss. But there’s more to Howard than his play on the field. His personality is a big part of this team’s makeup. The same emotion that might have been a hindrance early in his career is now a strength. It’s part of his leadership.
When Ohio State is down, he knows how to get the team back up.
“My ability to push and lead this team in this game is going to be crucial, I know that,” Howard said. “I think if we can maintain that edge we had in that Indiana game and come out there, I have to spark that. I have to make sure I’m bringing that all game.
“It’s by bringing energy up, vibes up and whatever it is during the week of practice and during the game. Staying on everyone. Staying on those guys and making sure they hear me all game whether it’s good or bad.”
(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
