Did Ryan Day’s decision to keep Will Howard in doom Ohio State?

Ohio State's hopes for a victory against Michigan crumbled in their 13-10 loss, but what stood out most was their stagnant offensive performance, the worst of the season. Much of the blame may rest on an unfortunate turning point: starting quarterback Will Howard took a brutal hit to the head with just over 10 minutes left in the second quarter, and he was never the same after that. What seemed like a minor moment changed the trajectory of Ohio State's offense and left fans questioning key decisions by the coaching staff.

Prior to the injury, Howard was efficient, though not flashy, completing 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards and posting a solid 71% completion rate. His performance was close to his season average of 8 yards per attempt, and though he hadn't thrown for any touchdowns, he looked sharp and in control, except for a single interception. He added a couple of scrambles, gaining 3 yards on the ground, playing within the structure of the game, and showing his trademark fiery leadership.

Then came the hit.

After taking a shot to the head, Howard's performance took a noticeable dive. He was 14 of 26 following the injury, with a completion percentage dropping to 54%, and his average yards per attempt plummeted to 4.6 — a sharp contrast to his earlier production and season average.

He managed only 119 passing yards the rest of the way, throwing for a touchdown but also adding another interception. Even his mobility seemed limited, scrambling for just 7 yards on two carries.

For anyone watching, it was clear that something was off. Howard’s passes lacked zip, his decision-making slowed, and his body language on the field was not what Buckeye fans have come to expect from their usually confident signal-caller. Yet, despite these visible signs of decline, Howard remained in the game.

After the contest, Howard's discomfort in addressing the head injury only added to the speculation. Asked directly if he had been evaluated for a concussion, Howard gave a hesitant, halting response: “I, uh, got banged up and I was good enough to come back. Yep, got banged up, got hit, you know, and uh, yeah, it was...my head was good enough to come back so.” His repetition and evasiveness suggested a player unwilling to talk about his condition, which only raises further questions about how the situation was handled.

Will Howard is known for his toughness, his passion, and his willingness to put his body on the line for his team. This trait makes him a beloved figure among Ohio State fans and a respected leader in the locker room. But the question now on everyone's mind is whether the decision to let him back into the game was in his best interest—or the team’s.

Howard’s return to the field after such a jarring hit might have been heroic, but was it the smart move? Ohio State’s offense sputtered the rest of the game, struggling to generate consistent yardage or sustain drives. Whether Michigan sensed Howard's vulnerability or not, they got pressure on him, forcing him into hurried throws and errant decisions. Howard’s second-half struggles reflect the impact of the injury, but it’s the coaching staff’s decision to keep him in the game that’s becoming the focal point of criticism.

If Howard had been taken out for further evaluation or rest, would the game have turned out differently? Perhaps Devin Brown could have injected new life into the offense like Dwayne Haskins did when JT Barrett went down in 2017.

Instead, Howard was left to soldier on, clearly struggling, as Ohio State’s aspirations to finally defeat Michigan after three long years slipped away. And now, the scrutiny on Ryan Day has reached a new level, with many wondering if he is still the right man to lead the Buckeyes.

For Ohio State fans, this loss stings not just because it was a fourth consecutive defeat to arch-rival Michigan, but because it exposed deeper issues within the program—issues that go beyond the scoreboard.