2 weeks Ago
The most anticipated matchup of the weekend unfolded in Happy Valley at Beaver Stadium, featuring the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions.
Penn State started strong, jumping to a 10-0 lead. However, Ohio State quickly responded, bolstered by a solid defensive effort following a pick-six thrown by quarterback Will Howard on his first passing attempt of the game. At halftime, Ohio State held a narrow 14-10 lead.
Yet, frustration among Buckeye fans and alumni was palpable, particularly concerning Howard's performance. In addition to the interception, he also fumbled the ball into the end zone, resulting in a touchback, and missed a wide-open Carnell Tate downfield that could have easily been a touchdown. Former Heisman winner and Ohio State legend Troy Smith even called for head coach Ryan Day to bench Howard in favor of five-star freshman Julian Sayin , who is expected to be the starter next season.
"[Julian Sayin]...
hope to see him in the 2nd half." Smith posted on X. Former Ohio State Heisman Trophy QB Troy Smith wants to see the Buckeyes play true freshman Julian Sayin in the 2nd half vs.
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com/adc9UgI7EF Howard did manage to connect on two touchdown passes, but had he avoided those careless mistakes, Ohio State could have easily headed into halftime with a commanding 21-3 lead instead of a narrow 14-10 advantage, leaving the door wide open for the Nittany Lions. This season, Howard has faced significant backlash, especially after a costly error against Oregon at the end of a close game that resulted in a 32-31 loss. As a senior, many fans in Buckeye Nation feel that his repeated mistakes have been particularly disappointing, raising questions about his performance under pressure.
© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images Now, Howard aims to silence his doubters as he fights to lead his team to victory in one of the most hostile environments in all of college football. The stakes are high, and this is his chance to demonstrate his resilience and ability to perform when it matters most. Related: Travis Hunter Steals the Show After Striking Iconic Pose on 'Big Noon Kickoff'.
