We Lost It All: Ohio State Buckeyes Star Player Will Howard Reflects on the Downfall of His Team
In a candid interview, Ohio State star quarterback Will Howard opened up about the unraveling of the Buckeyes’ season, sharing his thoughts on what went wrong for a team once considered a national title contender. Howard, known for his leadership on and off the field, expressed both frustration and disbelief as he recounted the series of events that led to the Buckeyes’ disappointing end.
“We were a top-tier team, there’s no doubt about that,” Howard said. “We had everything going for us—talented players, great coaches, and a fanbase that always believed in us. But somewhere along the way, we lost our identity. It wasn’t one game or one player; it was a combination of things. It was a slow burn.”
The first crack in the Buckeyes’ armor came early in the season, when they suffered a surprising loss to a lesser-ranked opponent. For Howard, that was the wake-up call. “It wasn’t just the loss itself; it was the way we handled it. There was no urgency in practice the next week, no accountability,” he recalled. “We thought we could just show up and win, but that’s not how it works in college football.”
Injuries also played a significant role in Ohio State’s demise. Key players on both sides of the ball were sidelined at critical moments, disrupting the team’s rhythm. Howard himself battled through some nagging injuries, which affected his performance and leadership on the field. “I wasn’t at my best, and when the guy under center isn’t firing on all cylinders, it’s tough for everyone else to stay motivated,” Howard admitted.
Defensive struggles were another major issue. The Buckeyes’ defense, which had been one of their strengths in previous seasons, became a liability. “We couldn’t stop teams when we needed to, especially in the second half. There were blown coverages, missed tackles—just things you can’t afford at this level.”
As the losses mounted, so did internal pressure. The Buckeyes’ coaching staff, led by head coach Ryan Day, came under scrutiny, and Howard believes that uncertainty around the team’s direction only compounded the issues. “Coaching is everything,” Howard said. “When things start falling apart, the team looks to the coaches for answers. Unfortunately, the clarity just wasn’t there.”
Despite the heartbreak, Howard remains hopeful for the future of Ohio State football. “We’ve got the talent, and we’ve got the foundation. But we’ve got to learn from this. It’s a humbling experience, but it’s one we can bounce back from.”
For now, Howard is focused on his final games as a Buckeye, hoping to finish strong despite the season’s collapse. “We owe it to our fans and ourselves to finish this the right way.”
The Ohio State Buckeyes will look to regroup in the coming seasons, hoping to recover from their fall from grace and return to championship contention.
