Over the weekend, Ohio State made a powerful statement in the College Football Playoff, cruising to a dominant 42-17 win over Tennessee in the first round. The Buckeyes came out strong, taking an early 21-0 lead and never looking back. This victory set up a highly anticipated rematch with the Oregon Ducks in the second round of the playoffs.
Following the game, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and the positive atmosphere in the locker room. He praised the energy and confidence the players exhibited during their film session on Sunday. “You could feel the confidence in the locker room,” Day said, via ESPN. “We’ve got to make some adjustments like we always do, but there was just an overall bounce in the group coming off the game, knowing we already have a playoff win under our belt.”
With the team’s spirits high after the win, the Buckeyes quickly shifted their focus to the upcoming rematch with Oregon. With only a few days left to prepare, star quarterback Will Howard wanted to show his appreciation for his teammates’ hard work and camaraderie. While Christmas had passed, Howard took the opportunity to play Santa and surprise each of his teammates with a special gift: a 55-inch television.
In a heartfelt video, Howard said, “We teamed up with our guys from Element Electronics to get you guys each a 55-inch TV. I love you guys, man. Merry Christmas.” The gesture was a perfect display of the strong bond and unity within the team, as the quarterback showed his gratitude in a grand and generous way.
However, Howard’s focus is squarely on the rematch with Oregon, a game that continues to haunt him due to how their first meeting ended earlier in the season. In that game, Ohio State was driving down the field with hopes of getting into field goal range for a potential game-winning kick. As time dwindled down, Howard scrambled on a run, but there were only six seconds left on the clock, and the Buckeyes were unable to stop the clock in time.
Howard admitted that the loss has been difficult to shake off. “I still have nightmares about that play,” Howard confessed. “I’m thankful that we even get a chance to go out there and play these guys again. The way we lost that game, it still hurts.”
Now, with the opportunity for redemption on New Year’s Day, Howard and the Buckeyes are focused on turning the page and making sure they don’t let this second chance slip away. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and for Howard, the upcoming game is not just about playoff advancement—it’s about personal redemption and the chance to make things right against the Ducks.
