Will Howard jokes that he fell on purpose on breakaway run

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has impressed the nation with his strong play throughout the course of the Buckeyes’ run in the College Football Playoff.

He’s been a bright spot for the team over their past three games, and last Friday’s win over Texas was another example of Howard’s ascension, as he passed for 289 yards and a touchdown to help the Buckeyes get past. The quarterback has thrown for 306 yards per game in the CFP, making him a big reason why Ohio State is one win away from a national title.

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Still, one of Howard’s more memorable plays happened on a run where it looked like the quarterback was headed to the end-zone, only to trip before getting there as he was taken down by the turf monster. Luckily, the Buckeyes still scored on the drive to take the lead, and Howard had some quips about the moment during his postgame press conference.

“That fourth down was huge. They came out and gave us a good look for the play, and the offensive line blocked it up well. Yeah, I fell on purpose,” Howard joked, regarding the moment that he can look back on and laugh about now. “I’m joking. I didn’t fall on purpose. It should’ve been a dang touchdown, but I was trying to keep a couple seconds on the clock. No, I’m joking. Yeah, it was a great play, and a statement drive. We needed that. We’d been beating ourselves all day. Penalties and you know, just getting behind the sticks. That was a statement drive. The offensive line did a heck of a job on that drive.

“Guys stepped up and made plays, and obviously what the defense did on the next drive you know, sealed it. But they bailed us out all game, and I can’t say enough good things about [Jack Sawyer] and about our whole defense, because they played their tails off today.”

If Ohio State didn’t score during the next couple of plays, or if the Buckeyes somehow blew the end of the Cotton Bowl, Howard might’ve not been able to live the mistake down. However, thanks to some help from his running backs and the Buckeyes’ defense, it’ll all go down as good fun, and he can joke about it all he wants.

As Will Howard brings Ohio State to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, he’ll be hoping to stay upright throughout the whole contest with Notre Dame. The Buckeyes have a tremendous shot to be the last team standing, and their quarterback will be hoping to etch his name into history with a win.