Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard had as good of a first half as a quarterback can have, placing himself in the lead for the College Football Playoff National Championship game’s MVP award.
Will Howard Completes Near-Perfect Title Game First Half
In the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship game, the Ohio State quarterback pitched a nearly perfect game.
Howard completed 14 of his first 15 passes — a staggering 93% rate — for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Since his very first pass, Howard has seemingly been in complete control of the game. To begin the half-time show, legendary coach Nick Saban said it best.
“Will Howard doesn’t even have his britches dirty yet.”
It was a perfect description for Howard, who has yet to have any sort of disruption from the Fighting Irish defense. The Buckeyes’ first possession came following a long, 18-play drive in which quarterback Riley Leonard scored to take the 7-0 lead.
Ohio State responded with its own extended 11-play drive, capped off with a wide-open touchdown pass from Howard to all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith. The play was executed perfectly, confusing Notre Dame before Smith was left wide open. He ran into the end zone untouched to tie the game.
On the Buckeyes’ next drive, Howard’s legs came into play. Facing 3rd-and-5 at the Notre Dame 43-yard line, Howard ran for 11 yards, further extending the drive. Star running back Quinshon Judkins finished off the drive with a nine-yard touchdown.
The Buckeyes and Howard’s excellence continued on their third and final drive of the half; this time, Howard scrambled to his right before throwing across his body, finding Judkins wide open in the end zone.
Leading his team to a 21-7 lead while letting only a single pass hit the turf, Howard has placed himself in the thick of the conversation for the game’s MVP award. His teammate, Judkins, had two touchdowns but only 37 total yards at halftime.
If the Buckeyes can finish the job and Howard can continue his excellent play, the MVP will be Howard’s to lose.
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