By Dorrington Myers
Game Recap: Ohio State vs. Oregon
Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Final Score: Ohio State Buckeyes 41, Oregon Ducks 21
Will Howard’s Stat Line:
17/26, 319 yards, 3 touchdowns, QBR: 97.7
Key Moments in the Rose Bowl:
The Jeremiah Smith Show
Will Howard showcased his connection with Jeremiah Smith, finding him for two electrifying touchdowns. One touchdown came on a quick 45-yard strike off play action, where Smith broke free and found himself wide open. The other touchdown was a quick throw underneath, allowing Smith to showcase his speed and elusiveness.
ICYMI @Jermiah_Smith1 is HIM
pic.twitter.com/3kVvrgX7xY— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 1, 2025
More Sports News
Emeka Egbuka Shines:
Howard connected with Emeka Egbuka on a stunning 42-yard touchdown pass up the middle. Off-play action, Egbuka outran the Ducks’ secondary and made an exceptional catch. This play, which occurred early in the game, set the tone and highlighted the struggles Oregon’s defense would face. In my opinion, this was Howard’s most impressive throw of the night.
1️⃣8️⃣ —-> 2️⃣ 🎯
pic.twitter.com/gHY31fyuxz— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) January 1, 2025
Performance analysis:
This is the Will Howard I’m accustomed to seeing. He was surgical, spreading the ball effectively to multiple receivers. On play-action passes, Howard went 6/8 for 160 yards, including all three of his touchdowns. He was flawless on deep throws, completing all four attempts spanning more than 20 yards.
Oregon, perhaps overcorrecting from their approach in the first matchup, opted to drop into coverage instead of blitzing. This strategy backfired, allowing Howard the time and space to pick apart their defense. In the end, this adjustment, among other factors, proved to be their downfall.
Will Howard’s Strengths in the Rose Bowl
Decision Making:
Will Howard displayed excellent decision-making, committing to his choices and delivering the ball on time. His throws were precise and calculated, cementing his role as a distributor in this game.
Accuracy:
Howard’s accuracy was notable , especially on deep balls. His throws were perfectly placed, giving his receivers the best chance to make game-changing plays. It was the kind of performance that few quarterbacks could replicate.
Leadership:
Since his struggles with time management in the previous matchup, Howard has been on a mission. He remained composed under pressure, setting the tone for his team with his poise and determination. From start to finish, this game was a testament to Howard’s leadership—it began with him and ended with him.
Room for improvement:
Will Howard delivered a near-perfect performance, showcasing his talent and composure throughout the game. However, if I’m being critical, the Buckeyes must focus on improving third-down conversions, as they only went 4/11 in this matchup. Not every secondary—especially one as formidable as Texas’—will be as susceptible to the big plays that the Ducks surrendered. Fine-tuning this aspect of their offense will be essential for the championship chase.
What’s next?
With this win, Howard and the Buckeyes advance to the Semifinal round of the playoffs, where they will go to the Cotton Bowl to face Quinn Ewers and the Texas Longhorns in a highly anticipated showdown for a spot in the championship game. This matchup promises to be one for the books.
