Ohio State looked dominant throughout the first Big 12 ever College football game.
After eliminating Tennessee in the first round, the Buckeyes beat the top-seeded Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals. Ohio State then Defeated Texas Longhorns In the semifinals to qualify for the championship match on Monday.
Quarterback Will Howard will be under center when Ohio State meets Notre Dame in the highly anticipated title game.
Howard spent four seasons at Kansas State. However, he entered the transfer portal in 2023. In January 2024, he revealed his intention to move to Ohio State. Howard went on to have the best regular season of his college career in Columbus, Ohio.
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, No. 18, leaves the field after the College Football Playoff's Cotton Bowl Classic semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on January 10, 2025. (Adam Kearns/The Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The 23-year-old racked up a career-high 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns to 10 interceptions during his freshman year at Ohio State. Howard has also used his legs this season, rushing to score seven points.
EX-NOTRE DAME star fuels hype around national title game with harsh criticism of Ohio State's will
This year's Buckeyes roster features several players, including Howard, who are vocal about their personal faith. Howard's on-field interview after the aforementioned Ohio State drive Win over Oregon State At the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day was one of many moments in which the quarterback put his beliefs on full display.
“First and foremost, I have to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage at the Rose Bowl.” Howard said. “The younger me would be in awe now.”
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, No. 18, passes against Texas during the second half of the College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl semifinal game on Friday, January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Shortly after the Buckeyes were there Upset by their biggest rival Michigan In late November, Howard referenced his faith as he was asked to share his reaction to the defeat.
“I sat down and thought that the opportunity I had here and what I went through this year, the ups and downs, everything was in my favor,” he said via Columbus. News station WCMHBefore confirming his firm belief. “I know God puts these obstacles in front of us to grow, and there's a reason for that. I'm just going to trust the plan.”
Will Howard, #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes, runs the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
He added that his unwavering “trust in the Lord” had proven beneficial in his life.
“We have to trust and depend on the Lord no matter what, through the ups and downs,” he told NBC4. “I tried to dig into my Bible and pray a little bit. Just come back to the Lord and say, 'I need you.'”
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“When you come to Him in a humble way, it changes your perspective. I put it to Him and say, 'Oh my God, I trust you. I don't know why this happened but it happened for a reason. I'm going to trust Him.'”
Howard and several members of the Buckeyes team Teammates have arrived In pre-season training they wear “Jesus Won” jerseys.
The College Football Playoff National Championship Game kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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