The Buckeyes’ first loss of the season came at the hands of Oregon in a heartbreaking battle in Eugene. Ohio State had a shot at victory, but Will Howard’s fateful slip-up on the final play dashed their hopes of a game-winning field goal. That moment has haunted him ever since, and now, Howard is itching for redemption.
Over the weekend, Howard opened up about that devastating final drive. The memory of missing out on a rematch in the Big Ten Championship still stings, but fate has delivered a chance for payback in the Rose Bowl. And Howard is coming in hotter than ever. After putting together his best game as a Buckeye against Oregon, he just dropped an even more dominant performance against Tennessee. Now, he’s laser-focused on giving Ohio State the revenge they deserve—and he knows that could mean the difference between another season of disappointment and a national championship.
The Buckeyes’ game plan? It all starts with Howard’s lethal passing attack. With weapons like Jeremiah Smith—who racked up 100 yards and a touchdown in their first showdown—Ohio State’s offense is poised to strike fast and hard. Howard’s 326-yard performance in Eugene proves he knows how to carve through Oregon’s defense. If he can replicate that success and keep the passing game firing on all cylinders, the Buckeyes will have every chance to rewrite history.
Howard is not just playing for a win—he’s playing to make sure Ohio State finishes on top, and this time, if the game comes down to a final drive, he won’t be caught off guard. Revenge is on the horizon.
