Fans were left stunned as Ohio State quarterback Will Howard appeared to sport a huge knot on his hand during the Cotton Bowl clash with Texas.

Yet again in the College Football Playoff, Ohio State flew out the blocks. On Friday night in the Cotton Bowl against Texas, Howard led the Buckeyes on a 10-play, 64-yard opening drive downfield that culminated in Quinshon Judkins’ 9-yard touchdown run.

The Texas defense then managed to stem the Ohio State offense, and it may have been due to Howard’s hand. ESPN cameras picked up on the issue, offering close-ups of Howard’s non-throwing left hand which appeared to have a huge growth akin to a golf ball over his middle knuckle.

On ESPN2, the crew speculated that the injury was caused when Texas defensive lineman Bill Norton fell on the Buckeyes signal caller. Norton landed on Howard’s hand after pressuring him on a quarterback hurry on a first-and-10 during an Ohio State drive in the second quarter.

The ESPN broadcast wondered if the issue came from Texas defender Ethan Burke’s hit on a zone-read keeper. During the broadcast, ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe said: “Will Howard has this huge knot on his hand but they’re not exactly sure what happened.

“They think he may have bumped into somebody’s face mask… Will is not complaining about it; he has not received any treatment on it or any ice on it. He doesn’t appear to be in a ton of pain, but I can tell you it is the size of a golf ball.”

Fans immediately took to social media to comment on Howard’s injury. One fan offered his opinion, writing: “Based on my non-medical assessment, that is not normal.”

Follow us on Xfor the best and latest in sports news

Will Howard suffered a grotesque injury to his left-hand but continued playing for Ohio State

Will Howard suffered a grotesque injury to his left-hand but continued playing for Ohio State ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

“Oh that’s gotta hurt, man that looks horrible,” wrote another. Meanwhile, another suggested Howard needed to play through the injury given the occasion, insisting: “Non-throwing hand. Gotta play through that in the biggest game of your life.”

Football players are tough, particularly in the biggest spots. Howard has decided to continue playing, and he did well enough; after Quinn Ewers tied the game with an 18-yard touchdown pass, Howard found running back TreVeyon Henderson who scored a 75-yard touchdown on the screen pass.

Texas tied the game thanks to Ewers’ 26-yard touchdown to Blue. Yet Ohio State bounced back – scoring two more touchdowns to win 28-14 and book its place in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. The Buckeyes will face Notre Dame, who defeated Penn State on Thursday, in Atlanta on Monday, January 20.