The Ohio State Buckeyes secured a solid victory over the Volunteers, earning a ticket to the Rose Bowl. In this matchup, they will face none other than the Oregon Ducks of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dan-lanning">Dan Lanning</a>, the only undefeated team of the regular season. Will Howard hasn’t forgotten their last defeat against Dillon Gabriel’s squad and knows they have the chance for redemption.


 


On January 1st, both the Buckeyes and the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/oregon-ducks">Ducks</a> will face off once again, this time in Pasadena, California. While these are completely different circumstances, many believe that Ryan Day’s squad can view this matchup as a chance for revenge for their narrow loss on October 12th, when they were defeated by just one point, 32-31.



Regarding this situation, Will Howard made it clear how he feels about facing Oregon once again: “Yeah, I’m excited, man,” the QB said. “It’s going to be a heck of an opportunity for all of us. We’ve all been looking forward to this one and for another crack at [those] guys. The way that last one ended doesn’t sit right with me. It still bugs me.”



Howard also added: “We did a hell of a job not letting off the gas. We could’ve let that become a game. Being able to keep the foot on the pedal was huge.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241222_BUS_298501_Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-1024x576_0e3bdad4.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Ohio State Buckeyes Oregon Ducks" class="wp-image-298532" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/22155619/Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/22155619/Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/22155619/Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/22155619/Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/22155619/Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/22155619/Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/22155619/Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/22155619/Oregon-Ducks-Ohio-State-Buckeyes.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Ohio State Buckeyes at Oregon Ducks OCT 12 October 12, 2024: Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson (3) goes for extra yards after a catch during the NCAA Football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon defeated Ohio State 32-31.</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/will-howard">Will Howard</a> had a standout performance against the Tennessee Volunteers, with his teammates supporting him on offense to secure the win. He threw for 311 yards, along with two touchdown passes and one interception.


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<h2>Ryan Day highlighted the key factors in the victory over the Vols</h2>



The Buckeyes are part of an elite group of teams that are always considered contenders at the start of a season. Of course, this has to be reflected on the field, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ryan-day">Ryan Day</a> knows this very well. Or at least, they demonstrated it during the game against Tennessee.


 


“We called this game more aggressively,” Day said. “There’s no question about that. But also, I think we did some things in this game that maximized what we have in terms of our strengths and minimized our deficiencies. Not that everything was perfect in this game. It wasn’t. But I do think — I also thought Will was excellent in this game. Played really well. Did a really good job of placing the ball. He made some big-time throws. When he needed to make plays with his legs, he did. Certainly, Jeremiah (Smith) was dynamite again. But Will was a leader.”



In addition to that, the coach made it clear the spirit that this team possesses: “These guys have a lot of pride,” Day said. “I think this said a lot about who our guys are to be able to respond like that in a big way.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241222_BUS_298501_Ryan-Day-1-1024x576_3373844e.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Ryan Day Ohio State" class="wp-image-248402" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ryan-Day-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ryan-Day-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ryan-Day-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ryan-Day-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ryan-Day-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&amp;T Stadium on December 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Howard showers Johnson with praise</h2>



One of the standout figures in the game where the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ohio-state-buckeyes">Buckeyes</a> emerged victorious against the Vols was true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The talented player finished the game with six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.



Will Howard, astonished by his teammate’s performance, couldn’t help but shower him with praise in the press conference after the game.



“He’s the dude, man,” Howard said per Jake Trotter of ESPN. “I think he’s the best receiver in the country. You see what the kid does with the ball in his hands. He’s just everything you want in a teammate and a receiver.”

Dan Lanning's Ducks receive warning from Buckeyes QB Will Howard ahead of the Rose Bowl

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Buckeyes QB Will Howard sends strong warning to Dan Lanning's Ducks ahead of the Rose Bowl - Bolavip US

Buckeyes QB Will Howard sends strong warning to Dan Lanning's Ducks ahead of the Rose Bowl

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The first big step has been taken. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ohio-state-buckeyes">Ohio State Buckeyes</a> defeated the Tennessee Volunteers decisively and advanced to the next phase of the playoffs, where they will face none other than the Oregon Ducks. The high level of play was partly due to their QB Will Howard, who practically had no flaws in his performance. Regarding this, HC Ryan Day expressed his happiness with the performance displayed.


 


Beyond his satisfaction with the level shown by his quarterback, Day made it clear to the press after the game that one of the key factors in not giving Josh Heupel’s team any breathing room was the aggressiveness with which they approached the game from the very start.



“We called this game more aggressively, there’s no question about that,” Day said, drawing comparisons to the Buckeyes’ loss against Michigan. “But we also did some things in this game that maximize what we have. … And I thought Will [Howard] was excellent.”



Howard finished the game with a total of 311 passing yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-29 completions. Additionally, the Buckeyes had a standout performance from Smith, who recorded 6 catches for 103 yards, becoming the sixth freshman in CFP history to surpass 100 receiving yards.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241222_BUS_298277_Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W-1024x576_40ddfc79.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on prior to the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois." class="wp-image-280756" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-coach-Ryan-Day-of-the-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-looks-on-prior-to-the-game-against-the-Northwestern-W.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on prior to the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.</figcaption></figure>



After this resounding victory against such a high-quality opponent, Ohio State earned the right to compete in the Rose Bowl, where they will face none other than the Ducks. Dan Lanning’s team was their conqueror in the regular season, so Ryan Day’s squad will be seeking revenge.


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<h2>Day reflected the pride he feels for his players</h2>



Although the game’s outcome didn’t seem to have much impact on the Buckeyes, it was clear that Nico Iamaleava’s team could pose a serious challenge on the road ahead. After the game, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ryan-day">Ryan Day</a> expressed his joy over the high level of play displayed by his players.


 


“I’m proud of our seniors for a lot of reasons,” he said. “One, for the fact that they were able to finish their last game at Ohio Stadium with a win like that. I’m also proud of the way they responded. I told them in the locker room that in life, you’re gonna be defined by the way you handle adversity as a person, as a man, as a dad.”



“To see the way they responded in this game, you could tell from the jump that they had a look in their eye and were gonna win this game. I thought they played that way. A lot of football ahead of us. Great win. But we’re gonna enjoy this for 24 hours, and then it’s on to Oregon,” he concluded.

Will Howard

Buckeyes QB Will Howard sends strong warning to Dan Lanning's Ducks ahead of the Rose Bowl

Buckeyes HC Ryan Day makes something clear about Will Howard's performance after win vs Volunteers