DALLAS -- Jeremiah Smith just his least productive game as a college football player and Ohio State still won by 14 points. Texas’ entire game plan was telling the Buckeyes that everyone but the freshman wide receiver was allowed to touch the ball. The result was only one three-yard catch as the Buckeyes had to look elsewhere for offense.

Football players are tough, and Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is no exception, especially as he pushed through playing in the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas on Friday night with a giant knot on his hand.

During the first half of Friday’s Cotton Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Texas, fans noticed a golf ball-sized knot near the middle knuckle on the left hand