The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff in the Rose Bowl, where quarterback Will Howard threw for 319 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. However, the post-game conversation included a kiss.

It was a day to remember for the No. 8 seed Buckeyes against No. 1 Oregon in a game that was never close as Ohio State took a 34-0 lead in the second quarter.

After the game, Howard celebrated with his teammates, but found his girlfriend in the sea of ​​people and tipped his hat for the viral kiss everyone is talking about.

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So who is his mystery woman? According to multiple media outlets, 23-year-old Howard is dating Kansas native Lauren Leiker. The two met in 2023 when he was at Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State.

Although not much is known about Leiker, she earned a degree in human health biology and integrative health services from Kansas State in 2023, according to her LinkedIn page. Leiker works as a physician assistant at Johnson County Dermatology.

While the focus is usually on who won the Rose Bowl, Leiker and Howard’s kiss in Pasadena, California, the night is what’s talked about in an otherwise dull and disappointing game.

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