"Shame on Ohio State media": Fans blast Rose Bowl officials for allegedly denying entry to QB Will Howard on stage

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard helped the Buckeyes advance to the semifinals of this year's 12-team college football playoffs. Ryan Day and his team successfully gave Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks their first loss of the season during the Rose Bowl showdown on Wednesday.

The quarterback played a big role in Ohio State's 41-21 victory as he recorded a total of 319 yards and three touchdowns passing. Will Howard also completed 17 of the 26 passes he attempted, proving to fans that the Buckeyes can still win with him as the signal caller. But it was after the game that Howard had some trouble.

In a video that is going viral on social media, Will Howard is seen being blocked from getting up onto the stage to celebrate the victory with his teammates. A media official blocked his path amid fans chanting and stating that he was the quarterback of the team. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and others playfully argued with the officials to give him space on the stage.

Fans took to the comment section to express their frustration and dissatisfaction with the Rose Bowl officials for now allowing the Ohio State QB on stage. One fan stated that it was not a good look for Ohio State media.

"Crazy the QB doesn't have stage access, shame on the Ohio State media lead on this one"

Another fan argued that the media official should have stepped down from the stage to give Howard some space.

"Wow that's when you politely move old guy to the side and go up"

Reactions to Howard (Credits: Instagram/@yahoosports)

This fan questioned why didn't other Ohio State players stand up for their quarterback.

"How did none of his teammates stand up for him..?

Another fan felt that someone as important as Howard should have been on the stage instead of the media official.

"There's a weight limit Bull that old guy needs to get out of the way and let him the quarterback of the game to up on the stage. I don't get way too freaking serious that he doesn't need to do that"

Reaction to Howard (Credits: Instagram/@yahoosports)

This fan was not impressed with how Will Howard's teammates ignored him and did not get him up onto the stage.

"The most important player on the team couldn't even get on stage and none of his teammates even tried to pull him up on their is crazy."

One fan questioned where head coach Ryan Day was during this incident.

"Wait. Where is his coach? Hope someone called in his headset and told him to let him on."

Reactions to Howard (Credits: Instagram/@yahoosports)

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Will Howard recalls advice from offensive coordinator Chip Kelly ahead of Rose Bowl showdown

The Buckeyes brought in former UCLA HC Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator of the team this season. After the game, Will Howard opened up about a piece of advice that Kelly gave, which helped him put up the kind of performance he did against the Oregon Ducks.

"He (Chip Kelly) said, 'Let the game come to you.' Don't make anything happen," Howard said. "Just let it happen, I've learned over the last year that I don't have to be Superman and I don't have to do anything special."

The Ohio State Buckeyes are yet to win a national championship under Ryan Day. It will be interesting to see if Will Howard can fulfill this dream this season and lead the program to their first title since 2014.