Ohio State Week 4 starting QB: Who could be Ryan Day's QB1 against Marshall?

Ohio State coach Ryan Day is building momentum in this final nonconference game after a solid performance against Western Michigan. The coach will likely stick with Will Howard as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback for their Week 4 matchup against Marshall on Saturday.

Marshall, part of the Sun Belt Conference, had a mixed start to their season, crushing Stony Brook 45-3 before falling to Virginia Tech 31-14. While Ohio State had a week off from games, they used it wisely, calling it an "improvement week."

Howard showed major improvement against Western Michigan despite some early struggles against Akron, shaking off a slow start and leading the offense efficiently.

Will Howard continue to start for Ohio State in Week 4?

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard - Source: Imagn

Will Howard seems like the clear choice to stay under center for Week 4. Coach Day likely feels confident in Howard's growth and wants to keep that momentum rolling as the team gears up for Big Ten play.

He's looked sharp in the Buckeyes offense in 2024, completing 64.8% of his passes for 520 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. The QB also contributed on the ground, rushing five times for 24 yards and a touchdown.

Howard shared his thoughts with the media on Friday.

“I look at it, at least in my days and in my time here. It's like it's a collective effort, and no matter what, I'm going to try and help those guys in the room to be as prepared and as ready as possible,” Howard said [3:11].

He said the Buckeyes are working toward the same goal—winning a "National Championship."

“I know there's five, six of us in the room, but we're all, there's only one quarterback on the field at one time, but we're all in this for the same reason,” Howard said. “We're all here to win a National Championship.”

Howard has moved beyond the basics and is operating at a higher level, ready for Saturday's matchup against Marshall.

Will Howard's performance in the first two games of the 2024-25 season

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard - Source: Imagn

Ohio State signal-caller Will Howard had a solid start to the 2024-25 season. He threw for 228 yards in the season opener against Akron, completing 17 of 28 passes with three touchdowns.

He followed that up with another impressive showing in Week 2 against Western Michigan, going 18-for-26 with 292 yards and a touchdown. Howard's consistency in both games seems to be in control and ready for the challenges ahead vs. Marshall on Saturday.