COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One thing was apparent Friday night at Cotton Bowl: Something was wrong with the hand of Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. And it was gross.
Howard was seen on the broadcast and in game photos with a swollen left hand, which is his nonthrowing hand. But he was playing through the pain, leading Ohio State to a 14-7 halftime lead in a College Football Playoff semifinal in Arlington, Texas.
The initial images showing the damage came from the second quarter.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: A detail view of the hand of Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: A detail view of the hands of Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
By contrast, it didn't look so bad during the first quarter and before the game. In the fourth quarter, it appeared the swelling may have gone down.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up before the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up before the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball while being chased by Michael Taaffe #16 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
And it had no obvious impact on the outcome. Ohio State won 28-14, with Howard completing 24 of 33 passes for 289 yards, including a short first-half pass to TreVeyon Henderson that went 75 yards four a touchdown.
The Buckeyes advance to play Notre Dame for college football's national championship on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.
