Ohio State QB Will Howard Breaks Silence on Controversial Rose Bowl Stage Incident

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard led the Buckeyes to victory over the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns in the dominant 41-21 win.

Unfortunately, this impressive performance from the senior QB was marred by a controversial incident after the final whistle blew.

The Buckeyes took the stage for the Rose Bowl trophy ceremony after their College Football Playoff win. Howard attempted to join his teammates on the stage, but a stadium security employee kept him from doing so.

Video of this incident went viral on social media, sparking controversy around the college football world.

Howard addressed the incident publicly for the first time during a press conference on Sunday morning.

"It was strictly a weight limit thing. I don't know if it was a poorly executed fat joke or what this guy was trying to do — no, I'm kidding," he said, via team insider Chase Brown. "I guess he said there was a weight limit, and there were too many people on it.... That's all it was.

"I ended up going to the other side and jumping on. It was a bunch of us that had to sneak on. You didn't see it, but Caleb (Downs) had to sneak on and I think Lathan (Ransom) had to sneak on. They were trying to be strict about it, but it is what it is. I guess they're doing their job, so I got nothing."