Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has experience coaching against Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.
The Buckeyes and Longhorns haven’t matched up together since 2009, when Texas defeated Ohio State, 24-21, in the Fiesta Bowl, but Sarkisian knows Howard from his four seasons at Kansas State.
Howard threw for 3,490 yards and 32 touchdowns compared to just nine interceptions this season, so he was undoubtedly one of the top quarterbacks in college football. For Sarkisian, though, it comes down to Howard’s underrated athleticism. That’s what his defense will have to guard against in this massive Cotton Bowl matchup.
“The first thing is, he’s a much better athlete than people probably give him credit for,” Sarkisian said of Howard in a recent news conference (h/t On3). “He snapped off about a 70-yard touchdown run against us a few years ago. He has good speed, he’s got great poise and composure in the pocket. You can tell he’s very bright. You know, the system they ran at Kansas State put a lot on the quarterback and knowing coach [Chip] Kelly and coach [Ryan] Day and what they do, him managing the offenses that way, so he’s got he’s got intelligence.”
Intelligence plus athleticism is the combination that all great quarterbacks have, and it’s worth noting that Howard has been absolutely tremendous in OSU’s first two College Football Playoff games.
He completed 24-of-29 passes against Tennessee for 311 yards and two touchdowns (with one interception) and against Oregon, he completed 17-of-26 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
To Sarkisian’s point about Howard’s athleticism, he rushed for seven touchdowns during the regular season, so he without a doubt is a dual-threat talent.
The Longhorns will have to be wary of both his arm and his legs on Friday.
