<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0BBbtG_0w3pkTHX00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0BBbtG_0w3pkTHX00" width="1200" height="628" >"You've got to know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em."These are lyrics from Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler." But they were also part of <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Will-Howard-46056477">Will Howard</a>'s explanation for how to manage big games this week."You don't want to force something, try and make something happen, but you've got to take advantage and capitalize when those opportunities are there," <a href="https://247sports.com/college/howard/">Howard</a> said on Tuesday. "And that's the game that you've got to play. You've got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them, and there's no doubt. So, that's the game that we're playing."On Saturday night, Howard will participate in his first big game as Ohio State's starting quarterback when the second-ranked Buckeyes take on No. 3 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/oregon/">Oregon</a> at Auzten Stadium. After transferring from <a href="https://247sports.com/college/kansas-state/">Kansas State</a> this offseason, Howard has been good for the Scarlet and Gray. Playing in <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/ryan-day-509/">Ryan Day</a> 's offense and under <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/chip-kelly-25/">Chip Kelly</a>, Howard has completed 71.5 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns to three interceptions. If he continues on this trajectory, he will set career bests in completion percentage, passing yards and touchdowns.DONATE TO 'THE FOUNDATION': <a href="https://www.thefoundationohio.com/">Click here now to assist with Name, Image and Likeness compensation for Ohio State football and basketball student-athletes.</a>Ohio State's 2024 season is underway. The Buckeyes have kicked off what could be a memorable 2024 season and are already off to a good start! Basketball is building toward the 2024-25 season as well. Stay on top of the latest Buckeye news by BECOMING A BUCKNUTS SUBSCRIBER today!With Howard quarterbacking, the Scarlet and Gray are a top-10 offense again after struggling – based on their high standards – the year before. Other than six passes, three of which were intercepted and three others were turnover-worthy, according to Pro Football Focus, Howard has done a good job of taking care of the ball. However, Ohio State's first five games didn't feature the attention, the bright lights and the pressure of Saturday against the Ducks.The Buckeyes believe Howard is ready for the challenge."He came here for a reason," Day said of Howard this week. "He came here to play in games like this, and he's played in games like this. But he's excited to do that, and his preparation's going to be the same."As Day said, Howard has played in big games before. During his four seasons at Kansas State, Howard started 28 games, including the Big 12 Championship Game in 2022 and at No. 7 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/">Texas</a> last year. Howard's three total touchdowns led the Wildcats to a conference title against No. 3 TCU. The quarterback's four touchdown passes helped Kansas State rally from an early 17-0 deficit in front of 102,846 fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium before losing to the Longhorns 33-30 in overtime.Howard's past prepared him to handle what will come his way when he steps on the field against Oregon."From my experience in playing in (big games), the biggest thing is staying neutral and not getting too high and getting too low because we know the emotions are going to be running rampant in this game," he said. "We know the implications of this game. We know it's a big one. But at the end of the day, you've got to stay neutral, and you can't get too high, you can't get too low. You can't let things that happen affect you."Like, I've learned, like, you just can never say die. And you can never be up by too much, either. It goes both ways. And you have to understand that the situations really matter and that one play can make the difference in a game, and every single play really matters. And in a matchup game like this, we're really focused on that and want to make sure that we take every opportunity we get to capitalize on opportunities."When Howard arrived in Columbus, he had to earn the respect of his <a href="https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/">Ohio State</a> teammates and coaches. Nothing was given to him, as the quarterback competition carried into fall camp.It didn't come right away, but at this point, the Buckeyes are confident in Howard's ability to help get a win on Saturday."He's been leading this team the right way," cornerback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/denzel-burke-46058466/">Denzel Burke</a> said on Saturday. "He's been managing the game the right way, making great decisions. So, I have full trust in him and our offense. And they're going to have one hell of a day Saturday."In addition to his experience, Howard gives the Scarlet and Gray another advantage in big games they didn't have last season: he's willing and able to use his legs. While Howard only has 64 rushing yards so far this year, he had 985 yards on the ground during his time in Manhattan. Kelly has increased the designed quarterback run plays in recent games as the Ohio State opponents have become more difficult, including Howard's 10 carries for 28 yards last week against Iowa.Howard must be ready to run all over the field, but his legs will likely be used the most against the Ducks in the red zone. All four of Howard's rushing touchdowns this season have come from inside the 10-yard line.Continuing to make the right decisions on RPOs, an area where Howard has improved, will be important to find the endzone against the Ducks."The ability to use your legs is really, really important because that becomes the X factor and he can do that. And so it kind of goes from there," Day said. "All the other things are for him, his size and his intelligence and his ability to throw the ball and throw accurately in the red zone and third down, those are all really big traits that you need in big games."Follow Patrick Murphy on <a href="https://twitter.com/_Pat_Murphy">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_pat_murphy_/">Instagram</a> for more Ohio State coverageWhat's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our <a href="http://ohiostate.247sports.com/distribution/signup">FREE Buckeyes newsletter</a> now!Howard came to Ohio State to help the Buckeyes win a national championship and improve his NFL Draft stock during his final season of eligibility. Playing well and winning against Oregon on Saturday will move Howard closer to both goals."When you come to a place like Ohio State, you want to play on the biggest stage," Howard said. "College GameDay, all the hype, 2 versus 3 matchup. This is what you signed up for, and this is what I was looking forward to. And it's a challenge, man. It's fun. This is what college football is all about. This is what you dream about as a kid, man. Like just being on this stage, playing in front of a ton of people and a ton of people watching on TV. Like, it's a dream, man, and it's definitely a big reason why I came here."</div></body>

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Ohio State's Will Howard is ready to lead Buckeyes into big game at Oregon: 'He came here for a reason'

\"You've got to know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em.\" These are lyrics from Kenny Rogers' \"The Gambler.\" But they were also part of Will Howard's explanation for how to manage big games this week. \"You don't want to force something, try and make something happen, but...

"You've got to know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em." These are lyrics from Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler." But they were also part of Will Howard's explanation for how to manage big games this week. "You don't want to force something, try and make something happen, but...

Ohio State's Will Howard is ready to lead Buckeyes into big game at Oregon: 'He came here for a reason'

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