Tag: Will Howard

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) on the podium after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Will Howard shines in spotlight, carries Ohio State to title

Posted on | by Field Level Media

All Ohio State quarterback Will Howard ever wanted was a chance to show off his talents.

The spotlight was all his on Monday night.

Howard built off a record-breaking first half to complete 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, lifting the Buckeyes to a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff title game in Atlanta.

It was after a 56-yard completion to Jeremiah Smith with 2:38 left in the game that reality seemed to set in for Howard, who took some time to showboat a bit by throwing his arms up while running downfield while Ohio State coach Ryan Day jumped for joy on the sideline and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James celebrated from box seats.

Such a moment was always the goal for Howard, a Kansas State transfer who had always dreamed of performing on college football’s biggest stage.

“If you were to ask a 19-year-old or 18-year-old Will Howard if he’d be at Ohio State playing in the national championship, I think he’d probably say, ‘You’re crazy, man,’” Howard said earlier this week.

Now, Howard is a champion, and teammates think that this is just the beginning for the 23-year-old.

“Just the type of quarterback he is, in my eyes he’s a first-round draft pick,” Smith said. “Will’s just a great leader — on and off the field.”

Howard made CFP championship game history by completing his first 13 passes on Monday, and he was 14-for-15 passing for 144 yards and two TDs before the break. Ohio State scored a touchdown on all three of its drives in the first 30 minutes of action to build a commanding 21-7 lead by intermission.

The Fighting Irish rallied but couldn’t find a way to get past Howard and the Buckeyes, with the Ohio State signal-caller being named Offensive MVP following the game.

“They’ve changed my life in more ways than I can say, man,” Howard told ESPN, referring to the impact that Day and his new teammates have had on him. “Coach Day and these guys here have completely, completely changed my life. … I can’t believe God gave me the chance to be a Buckeye.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) runs the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Top 10 CFB Player Props For Rivalry Weekend

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It’s Saturday.

You have a big ol’ turkey sandwich in front of you.

You finished your Christmas shopping on Black Friday, and now you’re ready to win the money to pay for all those gifts by betting on a few college football player props from one of the many intense rivalry games on the schedule.

The million-dollar question is, of course, which ones do you bet on? To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorites for Rivalry Weekend.

Rivalry Weekend: CFB Player Props Odds via FanDuel unless otherwise stated:

–The Game: Michigan vs. Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State, O/U 49.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

Michigan’s run defense is supposed to be decent, but it will be on the field so much that it won’t matter. The Wolverines’ defense might slow down Henderson in the first quarter/half, but it will tire out by the second half, and the run lanes will get nice and wide.

As a senior who has never beaten Michigan, Henderson will be motivated and could get more garbage time in the fourth quarter. Take the OVER.

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State, O/U 251.5 passing yards at -114/-114

Howard has gone over 251.5 yards passing just once in his past five games (vs. Purdue). Last week, against Indiana, he only had 201 yards in a dominant Ohio State offensive performance. His total wasn’t that low because the Hoosiers defense was playing tough.

No, it was because the team didn’t need him to take to the air for prolonged drives. Four of the Buckeyes’ six scoring drives were shorter than 50 yards. A similar scenario could present itself this weekend. Take the UNDER.

–Palmetto Bowl: South Carolina vs. Clemson
Lanorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina, O/U 198.5 passing yards at -114/-114

Sellers had some struggles during the first month of the season, which is not unusual for a freshman quarterback. But when South Carolina played Alabama, things started to click. Since then, including the Alabama game, he has thrown for more than 198.5 yards in five of his past six.

Clemson’s pass defense is good but not great. It might slow Sellers down at first, but not for the entire game. He’ll clear 200 yards passing before the fourth quarter. Take the OVER.

Lanorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina, O/U 37.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

As for his rushing total, Sellers went over 37.5 yards in his past four. A legitimate dual threat, he averages 14 carries per game this season. Clemson allows 4.57 yards per carry, so as long as he gets nine carries and takes what the Tigers allow, he’ll have a nice day on the ground.

Take the OVER.

Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson, O/U 96.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

Mafah has been a workhorse for Clemson this year in the backfield, running for 100-plus yards in six of his first nine games. He struggled against Pitt, gaining just 17 yards on 17 carries. He’ll likely get around 20 carries, and if he can match his season average (5.6 yards per carry), he’ll easily go OVER his total.

But the South Carolina run defense is pretty strong against the run (No. 12 in the country, allowing just over 100 yards per game). Since he’ll get the bulk of touches in the backfield, he’ll have a shot at going over the total. But the day will belong to South Carolina. Take the UNDER.

–Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh: Southern California vs. Notre Dame
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC, O/U 235.5 passing yards

Maiava has done a solid job in his two starts since taking over as QB1 for the Trojans, throwing for 259 yards and three touchdowns (and an interception) in one game and 221 yards and a touchdown in the other. But neither Nebraska nor UCLA have a strong pass defense.

Notre Dame has the No 1 pass defense in the country. Take the UNDER.

–Lonestar Showdown: Texas vs. Texas A&M
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M, O/U 180.5 passing yard at -114/-114

On paper, it doesn’t look like Texas A&M will move the ball at all, with Texas having the No. 2 pass defense and No. 13 run defense. But the Longhorns played the easiest schedule in the SEC, so you have to take those numbers with a grain of salt.

Since taking over as QB1 for the Aggies, Marcel Reed has been electric. He is a dual threat with a strong arm and quick feet. In his past three games, vs. South Carolina, New Mexico State and Auburn, Reed has passed for over 200 yards in each.

Texas might slow him down, but the Longhorns will not contain him for the whole game. Take the OVER.

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M, O/U .5 passing touchdowns at -220/+162

If you think Texas will dominate this game, then take the UNDER. However, if you believe the Aggies will be competitive in this game, then take the OVER. We’re taking the OVER.

Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas, O/U 45.5 rushing yards -114/-114

The Texas A&M defense is good on paper, but the numbers are a little misleading. Often, the Aggies’ defense gets gashed by the running game in the first half and helps the opposing team get out to a nice lead. But then it makes some adjustments at halftime and controls the line of scrimmage in the second half.

Blue is good enough to go for 45 yards in the first half, even if he ends up splitting carries with Quintrevion Wisner. If he doesn’t, he’ll get close and then finish the job in the second half.

–Field Level Media

Mar 4, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Devin Brown speaks to media at the start of spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Devin Brown, Will Howard ready for QB competition at Ohio State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State’s Devin Brown had a strong message Monday for people who think he’s intimidated by a tough quarterback room this spring.

Bottom line: He isn’t transferring.

“I’ve said it through and through. I’m a Buckeye, and I’m here to compete, no matter what,” he told reporters in Columbus, Ohio, the day before spring practices begin.

“Honestly,” he continued, “I think people are cowards. I think people have this thought in their own heads that I’m gonna leave and I’m a quitter, but that’s never been me. These people live wherever, in their mom’s basement, saying stuff about me and they don’t know (expletive). Excuse my language, but they don’t know anything. They don’t know why I am. They don’t know who I’ve been, and that’s always who I’ve been.”

Brown, a redshirt sophomore, lost the starting job to Kyle McCord before the 2023 season, but when McCord announced his transfer at the end of the regular season, Brown was given the starting assignment in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri.

But Brown left the game in the second quarter of the 14-3 loss with an ankle injury, with freshman Lincoln Kienholz taking over.

Since then, the Buckeyes have brought Kansas State graduate transfer Will Howard and 2024 blue-chip recruits Julian Sayin and Air Noland in to compete with Brown and Kienholz. They will be trying to impress head coach Ryan Day and Chip Kelly, the new offensive coordinator.

Howard, who started 27 games at Kansas State, has one year of eligibility left. And he sounded confident when he addressed reporters Monday.

“I didn’t come here to be nervous or to be timid or anything like that,” Howard said. “I’m ready to go, and the fact of the matter is you know it might not all be perfect. I might make a few mistakes but that’s how I’m going to learn and that’s how we’re going to learn as a team.

“Nothing’s too big for me. Nothing’s too big for this team. Spring ball, it’s going to be a lot of learning across the board but I’m excited for that. I want to embrace that.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Ohio State lands K-State QB Will Howard

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Will Howard is Ohio State’s solution at quarterback.

The prolific Kansas State veteran is transferring to the Buckeyes, ESPN and On3 reported Thursday.

Howard was a popular target in the transfer portal, with Southern California and Miami also wooing him. It was reported earlier in the week that Howard would visit the Buckeyes’ campus in Columbus, Ohio.

Howard spent four seasons with the Wildcats and holds the school record with 48 career passing touchdowns. In 2023, he tied the school single-season record of 24 TDs set by Ell Roberson in 2003.

“When I started talking to Ohio State, everything kind of lined up,” Howard told ESPN. “I had a list of things I was looking for, in terms of needing to go somewhere where there was a lot of talent around me and … compete for a national championship.”

Last year’s starting quarterback, Kyle McCord, transferred from Ohio State to Syracuse following the 2023 regular season.

Quarterbacks Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz completed 10 of 23 pass attempts for 106 yards as stand-ins during a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

With Howard at the helm, Kansas State went 8-4 in 2023. He threw 15 TD passes in his final six games and posted a four-TD performance against Texas. Howard also had a big game against the same Mizzou team that manhandled Ohio State in the bowl game (270 yards, three TD passes in a 30-27 loss in September).

Howard helped guide Kansas State to a memorable 31-28 overtime upset of TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game.

He passed for 5,786 yards and threw 25 interceptions in 34 games (27 starts) for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 19 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) calls a play during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Ohio State joins pursuit of K-State QB Will Howard

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State plans to host Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who has also received interest from Southern California and Miami in the transfer portal.

According to multiple reports, Howard’s visit is expected to take place before Monday’s national championship game. Howard was also considering the 2024 NFL Draft as of the end of the 2023 regular season.

Ohio State starting quarterback Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse following the 2023 regular season.

Quarterbacks Devin Brown and Luke Kieholz completed 10 of 23 pass attempts for 106 yards as stand-ins during a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

With Howard at the helm, Kansas State went 8-4 in 2023. He threw 15 TD passes in his final six games and posted a four-TD performance against Texas. Howard also had a big game against the same Mizzou team that manhandled Ohio State in the bowl game (270 yards, three TD passes in a 30-27 loss in September).

Howard spent four seasons with the Wildcats and holds the school record with 48 career passing touchdowns. He tied the school single-season record of 24 TDs set by Ell Roberson in 2003.

Howard helped guide Kansas State to a memorable 31-28 overtime upset of TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game. The victory put the Wildcats in the Sugar Bowl, where they lost 45-20 to Alabama. Kansas State finished 10-4 in 2022.

Howard passed for 5,786 yards and threw 25 interceptions in 34 games (27 starts) for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 19 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2020; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) drops back to pass during a game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

K-State QB Thompson done for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for an upper-body injury, coach Chris Klieman announced Monday.

Thompson was injured in the first half of the Wildcats’ win against Texas Tech on Oct. 3.

Riko Jeffers drove the QB to the turf after a pass attempt. Thompson left the game and Jeffers was flagged and ejected for targeting. Thompson was wearing a sling on the sideline afterward.

Klieman said Thompson underwent surgery last week.

“It was difficult, obviously, when you have a senior captain who goes down,” Klieman said. “He’s handled it well … that’s the worst part of this game because people know how much time and effort guys put in to have an opportunity to play this great game.

“But we’re going to rally around Will Howard and Nick Ast,” Klieman said.

Howard, a true freshman, led the Wildcats to a 21-14 win over TCU this past week. Howard rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown and went 8-for-19 passing with an interception. Howard threw for 173 yards after replacing Thompson against the Red Raiders.

Thompson started 30 games in his K-State career. Thompson (5,021 passing, 1,083 rushing) is one of two players in K-State history to pass for over 5,000 career yards and rush for more than 1,000. The other is Ell Roberson, who passed for 5,099 and rushed for 2,818 from 2000-03.

Thompson had thrown for 626 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for another four TDs prior to the injury.

Kansas State (3-1, 3-0 Big 12) is off this week. The Wildcats play Kansas on Oct. 24.

–Field Level Media