Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Will Howard Announces Title Game Status After Gruesome Hand Injury

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Jan 15, 2025 4:30 PM ET

On Monday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will meet the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the national championship game. Ohio State made their way to the title game after wins over Tennessee, Oregon and Texas.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has played well throughout the College Football Playoff, with his best performance coming against the Oregon Ducks.

Howard threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, showing that he has the capability to put on a great performance against a top defense.

The quarterback threw for another 289 yards against Texas last week in the Cotton Bowl, but he also suffered a nasty hand injury in the game.

Howard played most of the game with a huge knot on his non-throwing hand, and he gave an update on how he's feeling ahead of Monday's huge matchup.

Howard told reporters that his hand was feeling "great," according to Eleven Warriors.

“I popped a blood vessel," he explained. "No, it didn’t hurt at all. I just looked down and it was pretty big. It happened earlier in the season too but nobody really noticed then.”

Howard's hand injury didn't slow him down last week against Texas, sending Ohio State to the national title game for the first time since the 2020 season.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: A detail view of the hand of Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Head coach Ryan Day will have a chance at redemption after losing to the legendary Nick Saban, and Howard can end his college career with a national title after transferring to Ohio State this year.

The Buckeyes will be facing a battle-tested Notre Dame team in the championship game. The Fighting Irish made their way to the championship after wins over Indiana, Georgia and Penn State in the College Football Playoff.

The game will be a rematch of last season's early matchup between the two powerhouse programs in South Bend. Ohio State won that day with a last-second touchdown, inspiring passionate comments from Day after the game.

Notre Dame and head coach Marcus Freeman have a chance at revenge on the game's grandest stage, and we'll see if they have what it takes to get a massive win over Howard, Ryan Day and the rest of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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