Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Video Shows Will Howard's Spirited Locker Room Celebration After Ohio State Beat Texas

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jan 11, 2025 11:17 AM ET

The No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes certainly have the right to celebrate after their thrilling victory in the Cotton Bowl over the No. 5 Texas Longhorns on Friday night, which punched their ticket to the national championship game.

The story of the Cotton Bowl for the Buckeyes was their defense, which came up huge when Jack Sawyer sealed the victory with an 83-yard scoop-and-score on fourth-and-goal for Texas, denying the Longhorns a chance to tie the game.

When the Buckeyes needed him most, quarterback Will Howard delivered — a consistent theme for the senior passer throughout the College Football Playoff. He has six touchdowns and just two interceptions in OSU's three CFP wins.

Following Friday's game, a video surfaced of Howard's locker room celebration, where his teammates surrounded him in pure joy as he danced and celebrating the Buckeyes' big victory.

Check it out:

Will Howard postgame vibes pic.twitter.com/FUd08D7lpq
— Swish (@swishxvibes) January 11, 2025

Howard finished the Cotton Bowl completing 24 of his 33 passes for 289 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He also had a crucial 18-yard run on a fourth-and-2 with the game tied 14-14 in the fourth quarter that kept a Buckeyes' drive alive and led to the go-ahead touchdown.

Throughout the postseason, Howard has accumulated 919 passing yards and completed over 60% of his passes across three games. The Buckeyes have outscored their three playoff opponents by an impressive 59 combined points, winning each game by double digits.

Next, Ohio State heads to Atlanta to face the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the national championship game, aiming for their first title since 2014, the inaugural year of the College Football Playoff era.

This time, they’ll look to claim the championship in the first season of the expanded 12-team playoff.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: