In case you missed it, Kansas State transfer Will Howard was named the starting quarterback for Ohio State and its opening game against the Akron Zips on Aug. 31. There was an arms race of sorts between him, Devin Brown, and Alabama transfer Julian Sayin’. But nobody was surprised that Howard got the nod.
The quarterback competition at OSU is always hot when a new signal-caller takes over, and it was no different this season.
We’re going on a journey of taking a look back at the opening-day starting quarterback for Ohio State since 2001. Hopefully, it’ll jog your memory on all of the playmakers and surprises at quarterback on the banks of the Olentangy when the seals were broken on each season.
Here’s we go, including stats for the game and each quarterback’s season.
Sept. 8, 2001 - Steve Bellasari
Steve Bellisari of Ohio State runs with the ball against Minnesota during the game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Minnesota Gophers, 31-28. Elsa/Allsport
Stats in opener vs. Akron (28-14 Ohio State)
Passing: 15-of-24 for 246 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing: 9 rushes for 23 yards
Season Stats | 9 games (OSU finished 7-5)
Passing: 98-of-185 (53.0%), 1,599 yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTs.
Rushing: 72 rushes for 97 yards (1.3 avg.), 2 TDs
Aug. 24, 2002 - Craig Krenzel
Craig Krenzel of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball in the rain during a game against Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Tom Hauck/Getty Images
Stats in opener vs. Texas Tech (45-21 Ohio State)
Passing: 11-of-14 for 118 yards
Rushing: 4 rushes for 39 yards
Season Stats | 14 games (OSU finished 14-0, BCS national championship)
Passing: 148-of-249 (59.4%), 2,110 yards, 12 TDs, 7 INTs
Rushing: 125 rushes for 368 yards (2.9 avg.), 3 TDs
Aug. 30, 2003 - Craig Krenzel
Craig Krenzel of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks for a receiver during a game against Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Tom Hauck/Getty Images
Stats in opener vs. Washington (28-9 Ohio State)
Passing: 15-of-27 for 203 yards
Rushing: 8 rushes for 39 yards, 2 TDs
Season Stats | 11 games (OSU finished 11-2)
Passing: 153-of-278 (55.0%), 2,040 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs
Rushing: 109 rushes for 255 yards (2.3 avg.), 3 TDs
Sept. 4, 2004 - Justin Zwick
Sep 11, 2004; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Zwick (12) gets a pass off against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 24-21 on a 55-yard game-winning field goal. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports (©) Copyright 2004 by Matthew Emmons
Stats in opener vs. Cincinnati (27-6 Ohio State)
Passing: 14-of-26 for 213 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: 4 rushes for minus-8 yards, 2 TDs
Season Stats | 7 games (OSU finished 8-4)
Passing: 98-of-197 (52.4%), 1,209 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing: 39 rushes for 32 yards (0.8 avg.)
*Troy Smith took over as starter in Game 7
Sept. 3, 2005 - Justin Zwick
Jan 8, 2007; Glendale, Arizona; Ohio State quarterback (12) Justin Zwick against the Florida Gators during the BCS national championship game at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Florida defeated Ohio State 41-14. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Mark J. Rebilas
Stats in opener vs. Miami (OH) (34-14 Ohio State)
Passing: 17-of-23 for 155 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: 5 rushes for 25 yards
Season Stats | 7 games (OSU finished 10-2)
Passing: 42-of-58 (72.4%), 359 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: 12 rushes for 25 yards (2.1 avg.)
*Troy Smith started after Game 1
Sept. 2, 2006 - Troy Smith
Sept. 2, 2006; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel talks to quarterback (10) Troy Smith against Northern Illinois Huskies at Ohio Stadium. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports © copyright Matthew Emmons
Stats in opener vs. Northern Illinois (35-12 Ohio State)
Passing: 18-of-25 for 297 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 1 rush for minus-1 yards
Season Stats | 13 games (OSU finished 12-1)
Passing: 203-of-311 (65.3%), 2,542 yards, 30 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing: 72 rushes for 204 yards (2.8 avg.), 1 TD
Sept. 1, 2007 - Todd Boeckman
Sept 6, 2008; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Todd Boeckman (17) with head coach Jim Tressel during a timeout against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Youngstown State (38-6 Ohio State)
Passing: 17-of-23 for 255 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing: 4 rush for minus-13 yards
Season Stats | 13 games (OSU finished 11-2)
Passing: 191-of-299 (63.9%), 2,379 yards, 25 TDs, 14 INTs
Rushing: 56 rushes for 63 yards (1.1 avg.)
Aug. 30, 2008 - Todd Boeckman
Sept. 6, 2008; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Todd Boeckman (17) throws against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Youngstown State (43-0 Ohio State)
Passing: 14-of-19 for 187 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing: 4 rush for 10 yards
Season Stats | 8 games (OSU finished the season 10-3)
Passing: 57-of-93 (61.3%), 620 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing: 23 rushes for 8 yards (0.3 avg.)
* Terrelle Pryor took over as the starter in Game 4
Sept. 5, 2009 - Terrelle Pryor
April 23, 2011; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (right) listens to head coach Jim Tressel during the spring game at Ohio Stadium. Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Navy (31-27 Ohio State)
Passing: 14-of-21 for 174 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: 6 rush for 30 yards, 1 TD
Season Stats | 13 games (OSU finished 11-2)
Passing: 167-of-295 (56.6%), 2,094 yards, 18 TDs, 11 INTs
Rushing: 162 rushes for 779 yards (4.8 avg.), 7 TDs
Sept. 2, 2010 - Terrelle Pryor
Jan. 4, 2011; New Orleans; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the 2011 Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Marshall (45-7 Ohio State)
Passing: 17-of-25 for 247 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing: 8 rushes for 17 yards
Season Stats | 13 games (OSU finished 12-1)
Passing: 210-of-323 (65.0%), 2,772 yards, 27 TDs, 11 INTs
Rushing: 135 rushes for 754 yards (5.6 avg.), 4 TDs
Sept. 3, 2011 - Joe Bauserman
Sept 25, 2010; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Joe Bauserman (14) warms up before their game against Eastern Michigan University at Ohio Stadium. Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Akron (42-0 Ohio State)
Passing: 12-of-16 for 163 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing: 6 rushes for 32 yards, 1 TD
Season Stats | 6 games (OSU finished 6-7)
Passing: 40-of-86 (46.5%), 492 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 19 rushes for 19 yards (1.0 avg.), 1 TD
* Braxton Miller took over as the starter in Game 4
Sept. 1, 2012 - Braxton Miller
Nov. 24, 2012; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) looks for an open receiver against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 26-21. Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Miami (OH) (56-10 Ohio State)
Passing: 14-of-24 for 207 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing: 17 rushes for 161 yards, 1 TD
Season Stats | 12 games (OSU finished 12-0)
Passing: 148-of-254 (58.3%), 2,039 yards, 15 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing: 227 rushes for 1,271 yards (5.6 avg.), 13 TDs
Aug. 31, 2013 - Braxton Miller
Dec. 7, 2013; Indianapolis, Indiana; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) runs the ball during the third quarter of the 2013 Big 10 Championship game against the Michigan State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Buffalo (40-20 Ohio State)
Passing: 15-of-22 for 178 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 17 rushes for 77 yards
Season Stats | 12 games (OSU finished 12-2)
Passing: 162-of-255 (63.5%), 2,094 yards, 24 TDs, 7 INTs
Rushing: 171 rushes for 1,068 yards (6.2 avg.), 12 TDs
Aug. 30, 2014 - J.T. Barrett
Nov. 21, 2015; Columbus; Ohio Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) hands the ball off to Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) during warmups prior to the Buckeyes’ game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Navy (34-17 Ohio State)
Passing: 12-of-15 for 226 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 9 rushes for 50 yards
Season Stats | 12 games (OSU finished 14-1, CFP national championship)
Passing: 203-of-314 (64.6%), 2,834 yards, 34 TDs, 10 INT
Rushing: 171 rushes for 938 yards (5.5 avg.), 11 TDs
* Barrett injured for year vs. Michigan in Game 12
Sept. 7, 2015 - Cardale Jones
Jan. 12, 2015; Arlington, Texas; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) in game action against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State won 42-20. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener at Virginia Tech (42-24 Ohio State)
Passing: 10-of-19 for 187 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 13 rushes for 99 yards
Season Stats | 10 games (OSU finished 12-1)
Passing: 109-of-175 (62.3%), 1,459 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing: 64 rushes for 193 yards (3.0 avg.), 2 TDs
* J.T. Barrett took over as starter in Game 8
Sept. 3, 2016 - J.T. Barrett
Oct. 28, 2017; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) signals to his team prior to a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second half at Ohio Stadium. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Bowling Green (77-10 Ohio State)
Passing: 21-of-31 for 349 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 6 rushes for 30 yards, 1 TD
Season Stats | 13 games (OSU finished 11-2)
Passing: 233-of-379 (61.5%), 2,555 yards, 24 TDs, 7 INTs
Rushing: 205 rushes for 845 yards (4.1 avg.), 9 TDs
Aug. 31, 2017 - J.T. Barrett
Dec. 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) looks to pass the ball in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener at Indiana (49-21 Ohio State)
Passing: 20-of-35 for 304 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 13 rushes for 61 yards, 1 TD
Season Stats | 14 games (OSU finished 12-2)
Passing: 240-of-371 (64.7%), 3,053 yards, 35 TDs, 9 INTs
Rushing: 165 rushes for 798 yards (4.8 avg.), 12 TDs
Sept. 1, 2018 - Dwayne Haskins
Jan. 1, 2019; Pasadena, California; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) throws a pass against the Washington Huskies in the 2019 Rose Bowl at the Rose Bowl. Ohio State defeated Washington 28-23. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Oregon State (77-31 Ohio State)
Passing: 22-of-30 for 313 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 2 rushes for 24 yards
Season Stats | 14 games (OSU finished 13-1)
Passing: 373-of-533 (70.0%), 4,831 yards, 50 TDs, 8 INTs
Rushing: 79 rushes for 108 yards (1.4 avg.), 4 TDs
Aug. 31, 2019 - Justin Fields
Dec. 7, 2019; Indianapolis, Indiana; Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) rolls out of the pocket to throw for a touchdown in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Florida Atlantic (45-21 Ohio State)
Passing: 18-of-25 for 234 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing: 12 rushes for 61 yards, 1 TD
Season Stats | 14 games (OSU finished 13-1)
Passing: 238-of-354 (67.2%), 3,273 yards, 41 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing: 137 rushes for 484 yards (3.5 avg.), 10 TDs
Oct. 24, 2020 - Justin Fields
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) reacts after running for a first down near the endzone during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 23, 2019. Barbara J. Perenic/Dispatch
Stats in opener vs. Nebraska (52-17 Ohio State)
Passing: 20-of-21 for 276 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: 15 rushes for 54 yards, 1 TD
Season Stats | 8 games (OSU finished 7-1)
Passing: 158-of-225 (70.2%), 2,100 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing: 81 rushes for 383 yards (4.7 avg.), 5 TDs
Sept. 2, 2021 - C.J. Stroud
Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener at Minnesota (45-31 Ohio State)
Passing: 13-of-22 for 294 yards, 4 TD
Season Stats | 12 games (OSU finished 11-2)
Passing: 317-of-444 (71.9%), 4,435 yards, 44 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing: 32 rushes for -20 yards (-0.6 avg.)
Sept. 3, 2021 - C.J. Stroud
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener vs. Notre Dame (21-10 Ohio State)
Passing: 24-of-34 for 223 yards, 2 TDs
Season Stats | 13 games (OSU finished 11-2)
Passing: 258-of-389 (66.3%), 3,688 yards, 41 TDs, 6 INTs
Sept. 2, 2023 - Kyle McCord
USA TODAY Sports
Stats in opener at Indiana (23-3 Ohio State)
Passing: 20-of-33 (60.6%) for 239 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
Aug, 31, 2024 - Will Howard
USA TODAY SMG
Stats in opener vs. Akron
Passing: 17-of-28 (60.7%) for 228 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT
