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Ohio State

Greg McElroy evaluates Will Howard in win over Texas

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•about 10 hours•

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Will Howard
(© Tim Heitman-Imagn Images)

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard continued his strong play in the College Football Playoff this past Friday, throwing for 289 yards and a touchdown to help the Buckeyes get past Texas. Howard is throwing for 306 yards per game in the CFP and is a big reason why Ohio State is one win away from a national title.

ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy recently spoke on the Always College Football Podcast about what he saw from Will Howard against Texas.

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“Looking at Will Howard’s numbers, 24 of 33, 289, about 8 yards an attempt, that’s exactly what you need,” McElroy said of Will Howard. “He doesn’t need to throw for 400; he doesn’t need to throw for 150.”

As McElroy said, Howard doesn’t need to carry Ohio State to wins, but he also can’t be the reason the Buckeyes fall short. There is so much talent on the Ohio State roster, including at running back, that OSU can win without him putting up huge numbers.

“The way they’re running the football, they’re able to run the football really well right now,” McElroy said. “Both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, 19 combined [touches] for 175 yards. That’s nearly 10 yards a clip for your two running backs, and three touchdowns, of course, as well. That is enormous.”

In the Cotton Bowl against Texas, Henderson had six carries for 42 yards. He also had one of the biggest plays of the game, taking a screen pass 75-yards for a touchdown just before the half to give Ohio State the lead.

As for Judkins, he had nine carries for 36 yards and caught three passes for 22 yards.

Despite star receiver Jeremiah Smith catching only one pass, Ohio State still pulled away for a 14-point win, thanks in part to the play of Will Howard.

“The way they’re running the football, if you can marry it up with play-action, pretty amazing,” McElroy said. “And you’re going to say, ‘Well, hang on, 175, 75 came on one play.’ That doesn’t matter.

“With this offense, it’s all about big-play potential. It’s always going to be there. And when you’ve got a guy that can take it 75 on a screen, untouched, that tells you all you need to know. So 175 there was really impressive on 19 touches for those two guys.”