For a moment Saturday in ‘The Game,’ it appeared Ohio State might have to beat rival Michigan without its starting quarterback.
Will Howard, who transferred from Kansas State to play for the Buckeyes this season, took a hard hit from Wolverines defensive back Macari Paige at the end of a two-yard scramble with 12:37 remaining in the second quarter of the annual Big Ten rivalry game. Howard had to leave the field for a fourth-and-1 and back-up Devin Brown handed the ball off to convert with a 10-yard dash by running back Quinson Judkins.
Brown’s appearance was short-lived, however, as Howard soon emerged from the injury tent and returned to the game following a Michigan timeout after missing barely three minutes of action. He was shown running along the sidelines encouraging his teammates and the capacity crowd as those inside Ohio Stadium roared.
FOX Sports sideline reporter Jenny Taft reported on air that Howard was ‘evaluated for a potential head injury’ by Ohio State, but that he came to the sideline telling Buckeyes’ coaches and medical personnel, ‘I am fine. I am good.’
Ohio State trailed Michigan, 7-3, at the time of the play that forced Howard from the game. Once he returned, the Buckeyes failed to get any points out of the drive when kicker Jayden Fielding missed a 38-yard field goal.
The Buckeyes have lost three-straight years to Michigan, and the skid lingers over coach Ryan Day’s otherwise successful tenure at Ohio State. The two teams entered halftime tied at 10.
