After Week Off, Will Howard Ready To Get Back On The Field

COLUMBUS — Ohio State starting quarterback Will Howard met with reporters on Tuesday to discuss this weekend’s matchup against Marshall and what he worked on during his week off. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

• How are the WRs blocking? They are definitely working on that. You don’t really think about their ability to block or run guys off when you watch the game, but they have really bought in on making good blocks. “That’s a huge play for us.” Carnell Tate drove his dude down the field on a play last week. They are emphasizing that stuff. “Football’s a simple game, man. It’s blocking and tackling. Throwing and catching.”
• He is a film junky. He has evening classes and sometimes watches film while in class. “Don’t tell my professors.” There is so much to learn from watching film and it’s fun for him. It is a satisfying feeling when you see in a game exactly what you prepared for in film preparation. He’s been out there as a true freshman who wasn’t recognizing a defense. “I’ve been there enough times that I’m like, ‘Man, I’m never letting that happen again.'”
• It’s great using the tablets. He was able to use them in high school. “I missed it when I went to college.” It’s good to get the instant feedback on plays that didn’t go well. Now he’s watched the game film before he’s even hit the locker room after a game.
• How does Seth McLaughlin’s stability show up in a game? He brings a certain level of experience and maturity. It’s crucial to have that for an offense. He makes calls and “he’s bringing the juice.” “He’s making some calls even before I make them.” If Howard doesn’t have to make protection calls it makes his job easier as the QB. It’s good to have somebody you can bounce ideas off of and trust to make calls. He has fit in really well with this group. “He’s just become a really important part of this offense and I’m really glad that we did get him.”
• Were there any nerves for you in the first two games in Ohio Stadium? “I’m definitely settled in more.” It’s not nerve-wracking. “I just try to appreciate it and accept it for what it is.” He has one year here and he’s going to enjoy it.
• “I feel pretty good about how I’ve done with my decisions in the run game and the RPO game.” It’s clear when he makes a bad decision but you may not notice when he makes the right decision. They’ll continue to work on it and improve upon it. “For me, it’s just taking what the defense gives me.”
• How much responsibility do you feel to help the other QBs get ready to play? He looks at it as a collective effort and he’s going to do what he can to help them get as ready as possible “because I’ve been there.” Things happen in college football. You always have to be ready. They have a good QB room right now and he likes pouring into the younger guys. He’s been through the ups and downs, so he imposes as much knowledge as he can on the younger guys in the room because it’s a cycle. “There are things I wish people had told me before they happened to me.” “We’re all in this for the same reason.”
• What do you like about play-actions and RPOs? They system they have makes it easy for him in the RPO because if he doesn’t get the look he wants, he can just hand it off. “You’re taking it as it comes.” Just trying to take advantage of the numbers battles. Every play is different in its own way, but the way the running game and passing game complements each other makes it easy for him not to force things.

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