Will Howard’s Girlfriend Steals Show During Ohio State’s Win Over Notre Dame
Will Howard's Girlfriend Steals Show During Ohio State's Win Over Notre Dame

Will Howard demonstrated exceptional skill during the national championship game. He completed 13 consecutive passes to start the match, setting a record for the event. By halftime, Howard had connected on 14 of 15 attempts, accumulating 144 yards and two touchdowns. His accuracy and efficiency played a crucial role in Ohio State‘s offensive success.
Howard’s girlfriend, Lauren Leiker, garnered attention from fans and media during the game. Their relationship became a point of interest on social media platforms like Instagram.
That play is gonna be remembered FOREVER #PMSCFPNATTYESPN2 #GoBucks https://t.co/EclWGSVGai pic.twitter.com/ptgEJml39N
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 21, 2025
ESPN featured the couple in video coverage, highlighting the personal side of the quarterback’s story alongside his on-field achievements.
The quarterback’s journey to the championship game included a standout performance in the Rose Bowl against Oregon. Howard threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, leading Ohio State to a decisive 41-21 victory. This win secured the Buckeyes’ place in the College Football Playoff title game.
ESPN’s Molly McGrath’s Outfit Steals the Show at National Championship https://t.co/7HGnbACAer
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 21, 2025
Will Howard’s Record-Breaking Performance
Will Howard etched his name in College Football Playoff history during the 2025 national championship game. The Ohio State quarterback surpassed 1,000 passing yards for the postseason, setting a new benchmark for playoff quarterbacks. Howard’s precision passing was on full display as he connected on his first 13 attempts against Notre Dame, establishing a championship game record for consecutive completions.
Howard’s journey to this pinnacle began with his transfer from Kansas State to Ohio State in 2024. His regular season performance, while solid, gave little indication of the postseason explosion to come. Howard’s playoff surge saw his per-game passing average leap from 238.3 yards to an impressive 306.3 yards.
Key to Howard’s success was his connection with freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith. The young receiver emerged as a potent threat, amassing 290 yards and four touchdowns in the early playoff rounds. This dynamic duo helped propel the Buckeyes to the brink of their first national title since 2014.
The expanded playoff format played a role in Howard’s record-setting run, allowing for additional games and opportunities to accumulate yardage. Nevertheless, his performances have been consistently stellar throughout the postseason.
Howard’s first-half stats against Notre Dame:
- 14/15 completions
- 144 passing yards
- 2 touchdown passes
- 6/6 on third-down conversions
As the Buckeyes entered halftime with a 21-7 lead, Howard stood just 30 minutes away from potentially leading Ohio State to glory. His transformation from Big 12 champion at Kansas State to potential national champion at Ohio State underscores the impact of his transfer and the faith placed in him by coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes’ program.

A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.