Why was Ohio State QB Will Howard not allowed on stage? Rose Bowl offers insight on the situation

The Will Howard-led Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday. The No. 6-ranked Buckeyes were at their best in the College Football Playoff, dropping 41 points on the previously unbeaten Ducks to secure a semifinal berth.

However, there was some confusion at the end of the game as Howard wasn't initially allowed to climb on stage. A vigilant fan called it out, and the Rose Bowl responded via their official Instagram page.

"The College Football Playoff regulates that the players of the game, team captains, and head coach are the only team personnel allowed on stage. While Will eventually climbed the stage, this came down to the weight limit and the safety of every individual involved in the postgame awards ceremony," @rosebowlgame wrote.

It's important to note that Howard is not a team captain and did not win the Most Valuable Player award of the game. The Buckeyes captains are Emeka Egbuka, Jack Sawyer, TreVeyon Henderson and Cody Simon.

How did Will Howard perform in the Rose Bowl?

While Will Howard did not win the Rose Bowl MVP (it went to Jeremiah Smith), he was one of the best players on the field. The senior quarterback reminded the college football world why he's second in quarterback rating this season.

Howard amassed a stat line of 319 passing yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He ended the game with a passer rating of 206.5 and a 97.7 QBR. He regularly sliced through the Ducks' defense and ended the game with a pass completion of 65.4%.

Howard did what was required of him against arguably the best team in the country and was instrumental in his team's win.

What's next for Will Howard and the Ohio State Buckeyes?

Will Howard and the Ohio State Buckeyes will face Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns in the next round of the expanded CFP. Texas had to scrape a 39-31 win on Thursday over the Arizona State Sun Devils largely inspired by Cam Skattebo.

The game is scheduled for Friday at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. There's a lot to play for, as both Howard and Quinn Ewers are likely to declare for this year's NFL draft.

According to Sports Illustrated, the Ohio State Buckeyes have the best odds of winning the national championship, while the Texas Longhorns have the third-best odds. That makes the game a gem for neutrals and casual fans of college football.