Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted in scarlet after the Buckeyes’ epic win over Notre Dame, and Will Howard’s heroics had the crowd roaring. But the real drama unfolded off the field that night. When his girlfriend, or rather, rumored girlfriend, took the spotlight, confusion reigned. Buckeye Nation was buzzing with speculation, trying to figure out who truly had Will’s heart. Things quickly heated up like a two-minute drill, as Skyler Skoglund, Howard’s actual girlfriend, stepped in to clear the air.

During the Notre Dame game, when cameras captured an adorable moment between Will Howard and his girlfriend Skyler, things took a wild turn. Fans started mistaking her for Howard’s ex, Lauren Leiker, causing chaos. However, thanks to The Sports Gossips hosts, Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder, who deserve all credit for clarifying the mix-up through their top-tier investigation skills.

Moreover, Skyler didn’t miss a beat either as she hit Instagram, dropping a carousel of her adorable pics with Howard and a heart-melting caption to match. “Ohio’s finest 🏆” Their passionate kiss had fans swooning, and it didn’t take long for it to show up on her gram. The Buckeyes QB himself even commented on the post with “Partner in crime” and a heart emoji, officially confirming their relationship to the world.

Now, let’s talk about Lauren Leiker, who kind of stole Skyler Skoglund’s thunder when fans started mixing them up. Laurean has her own history with Will Howard because of their connection with Kansas State—where he played and she graduated from. But now, Skyler is the one on the sidelines, passionately cheering for her man, clearly taking the spotlight.

Skyler’s loyalty to the Buckeyes runs deeper than just her relationship with Will. She has strong ties to Ohio herself! She graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Applied Science. In fact, she even shared photos of herself enjoying Ohio State’s season opener with her family on September 1st. With personal connections to the state and her love for Will, she’s definitely a die-hard Buckeye supporter this season.

Skyler Skoglund’s support for Will Howard

Now that the whole Skyler vs. Lauren mix-up is behind us, the real puzzle is how fans overlooked Skyler Skoglund dropping constant hints. While Will Howard tends to keep his love life private, Skyler has always been front and center, cheering him on. Let’s take December, for instance—she subtly unveiled their relationship with a post featuring Howard on a couch with his dog. The meaningful third slide spoke volumes, yet fans seemed to miss the message.

Fast forward to January 4, and Skyler was fully immersed in Buckeye spirit, celebrating Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory. Her Instagram was flooded with photos from Pasadena, including moments with OSU defensive tackle Ty Hamilton’s girlfriend and more snapshots with Howard and his family. Every picture exuded her pride in Will, leaving no doubt about her significant role in his life.

Moreover, during the Rose Bowl, Skoglund and the Howards were a favorite of ESPN cameras. Skyler, donning a red t-shirt with Howard’s No. 18, stood out in the crowd, embracing both her role as a supportive partner and a Buckeye fan. Whether you were watching from the sidelines or scrolling through Instagram, their chemistry was undeniable. Their love story quickly became a fan favorite overnight.