Will Howard Updates: Buckeye QB Ready For Big Game, Big Moments

COLUMBUS — Ohio State starting quarterback Will Howard met with reporters on Tuesday to preview Saturday’s matchup with the No. 3 Oregon Ducks. The highlights of everything Howard had to say can be found below.

He has had to build his comfort level running the RPO since he was a true freshman. He has gotten better and better at it over the years. The better he can be with it, the more it helps the offense and the more they stay on schedule.
When you come to a place like Ohio State, you want to play in big games. You want all of the hype in games like this. “This is what I was looking forward to. It’s a challenge. It’s fun. This is what you dream about.”
How do you prepare for this environment? You prepare like you always do, but ask how you can be better and work harder. Maybe there’s something extra he can do. You also want to stay level in the build up to the game.
How comfortable are you in this offense running the ball heading into this game? “Very. Everything’s on the docket” with the QB run game. Any time you can add something more to the offense like the QB run, it is good. “I love doing it. I think it’s fun.”
What stands out about Oregon’s defense? “They have a solid front. They’ve got some dudes.” He has a former Kansas State teammate in the secondary. They have some talented transfers back there. They are so multiple defensively and can do a lot of different things. “Overall, I feel good about initially watching them. I think there’s some things we can do…” “I think there’s some different ways we can attack them.”
What have you learned from previous big games that prepares you for this? “It’s hard to circle on one thing that you want to focus on in these big games.” The biggest thing is staying neutral and not getting too high or too low. You can’t let things that happen affect you. They were down 27-7 at Texas last year and took it to overtime. You have to understand that situations really matter and one play can change the game.
Has this schedule been helpful in preparing for this game? Yeah, working up in terms of competition allowed them some leeway a bit early on but that’s not where his focus has been.
What do you like about your game against pressure? “My ability to stand in there and make throws when I’ve got guys in my face has gotten better.” The only way to get good at it is to do it a lot of times. Oregon will present some tough looks but he’s confident in “the best O-line in the country.” “I’m excited for them.” For him, it’s just staying calm under pressure.
Your favorite throw to Emeka Egbuka on Saturday? The second one. That was a tight-window throw and they had worked it during the week, but he had missed it during the week. “Emeka gets forgotten about almost, but I think he reminded a lot of people on Saturday.”
On offense as a QB, he has to capitalize on the opportunities available and not force things. Sometimes you have to take your medicine and check down. You gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.
Emeka Egbuka presents so many challenges for a defense. He never complains. Has great hands. You can’t say any bad things about him.
Where does the added year of experience help you and Dillon Gabriel? When you have to know when to take shots and staying on schedule. There’s probably one to two plays per week that he would like to have back. It comes down to decision making and staying on schedule. “It’s all those little things that go into it.”