COLUMBUS, OH — As Ohio State enters a critical phase of the season, quarterback Will Howard is looking to showcase his arm strength by pushing the ball deep downfield, an aspect of the game he’s eager to integrate more thoroughly.
Despite acknowledging that they have yet to throw deep as much as they could have, Howard remains confident in their ability to improve. “If he wants to launch some balls, let’s do it. Throwing deep balls is fun, so we’ve got to keep getting better at it every day,” he said.
Reflecting on the season’s challenges, Howard candidly discussed the experience of losing a game as Ohio State’s quarterback. “It makes it real for sure… you feel it a little more,” he admitted. The team is determined to learn from its loss and is using it as a motivational tool. “I can guarantee you none of us want to feel that [loss] again,” Howard emphasized about the loss to Oregon.
He looked forward to rebounding and working to get a win against upcoming Big Ten opponent Nebraska on Saturday. “I’m not going to be satisfied with anything if we don’t come out with a win.“
Howard also values moments of reflection on Ohio State’s storied past, particularly as the program honors its 2014 national championship team this week.
“Watching that, I obviously was probably rooting against them at the time, but you couldn’t deny how good that team was,” Howard remembered. These memories motivate him to envision future successes for his current squad.
Moreover, introspection continues beyond the present. He dissected the final, critical seconds of a previous game against Oregon, noting, “I’ve played it over in your head a million different times… and I got down.”
Watching film and analyzing himself during the week aids him in preventing future repeats of missed opportunities.
Howard and the Buckeyes focus on refining their strategy, learning from setbacks, and planning a successful stretch to the season’s conclusion. With everything ahead, Howard remains optimistic and committed to excellence. “Winning at the end of the day is all that matters to me,” he concluded.
The Buckeyes host the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday, October 26, at Noon ET on FOX.
