‘See them again in Indy’: QB Will Howard, Ohio State teammates motivated by loss to Oregon

A week and a half have passed, and Ohio State’s pain from its loss to Oregon lingers.

The Buckeyes have had time to process it by now. They know that when the 2024 season is over, that game in Eugene will be viewed as a turning point. But which will it be: a wake-up call on the way to a national title or the first sign of a season doomed to end in disappointment?

With the new 12-team College Football Playoff, one loss is not a death knell for championship hopes. Starting with Saturday’s game against visiting Nebraska, the Buckeyes are intent on showing that the loss to the Ducks is a blessing in disguise.

Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) catches a touchdown over Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Autzen Stadium

“I want to be able to look back and say this is the reason we went on a run and won the national championship and not the other way around,” quarterback Will Howard said. “I think we’re trying to use this as a stepping stone.

“Everything is still in front of us. If nothing else, it gives us a little more extra motivation because we now know what it feels like to lose a game and walk off the field with that feeling. I can guarantee you none of us want to feel that again.”

More: Did time remain after the final play at Oregon? Ohio State thinks so

The Buckeyes practiced hard last week to clean up the errors that cost them the Oregon game, players said. Many said the timing of the loss is far better now than at the end of the regular season, like the last three years with the losses to Michigan.

“I think the loss at this point this season is great for us, especially going into the bye week,” center Seth McLaughlin said. “It gave us a lot of things to work on. When everybody’s telling you that…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/see-them-again-indy-qb-012512586.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-10-24 01:25:12

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