Will Howard gave his offensive line plenty of credit for the way the unit was able to roll on Saturday in the Buckeyes’ 20-13 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions on the road.

Howard spoke about the offensive line after the win in an interview with FOX’s Jenny Taft.

“I was unbelievably pleased,” Howard said of his O-Line’s performance. “Those guys stepped up. They heard it all week. Everyone was saying that our O-line stinks, whatever, this and that. They stepped up, man. And I’m so proud of those I guys. I told them, ‘you guys are the best offensive line unit in the country. Go in with that mentality.’ And they did that. I’m so freakin’ proud of them.”

For Howard, who is from Pennsylvania, getting a win in this particular place simply meant a little bit more. Especially since he himself grew up a fan of Penn State, but didn’t receive an offer from the Nittany Lions coming out of high school.

“It was an emotional game for me,” Howard said. “I did not play my best game. But, I mean, I have the best team in the country around me. They bailed me out, man. I mean, the defense made some plays. Some unbelievable stops at the goal line. and kept us in that ball game. And what a great football game and what a great place to win.”

Howard finished out the contest 16-for-24 passing for 182 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He’s had better days but this was still a plenty respectable performance — particularly in a win.

Here’s video of Howard’s postgame interview:

Ohio State will look to stay on the right side of the win column as the Buckeyes face Purdue on Nov. 9 as heavy favorites.