Will Howard has been instrumental for Ohio State this season, including in the Cotton Bowl. However, one moment in the game resulted in the quarterback getting mercilessly clowned by his own team, even after a major conversion.

Facing a 4th-and-2 late in the 4th quarter, Howard kept the ball on a QB keeper up the gut. It was a well-timed call and the execution was perfect, but Howard couldn’t keep his feet after picking up the first down.

Here’s a replay of Will Howard’s carry with ESPN’s Chris Fowler invoking the “turf monster” after Howard’s tumble:

It all worked out okay with Quinshon Judkins breaking the tie and then Jack Sawyer clinching things with his scoop-and-score. Sawyer’s own play included a massive run, and he said he was telling himself not to fall like Howard after the game.

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly also confirmed on Tuesday that he gave his QB some ribbing for the way he fell, and we now know what the message is that Kelly delivered to Howard. The QB revealed that message on Wednesday:

“Coach Kelly calling me one-legged Willy, just giving me a hard time on that one. That wasn’t my best moment,” Howard admitted. “You know, on a QB power play, you get (leaning) forward a bit thinking you might get some contact. When you don’t get some contact, and then I just — yeah, it was pretty unathletic of me, you know. Hey, we got the first down.”

Fortunately, Howard’s embarrassing moment was still a critical bonus for the Buckeyes. Now, he’s getting ready for one final game at Ohio State with a chance to cement himself as a national title winner for the program.