INDIANAPOLIS — When Indiana football lost to Ohio State in 2024, the moment proved too big for the Hoosiers.
But with a retooled roster and its first 12-0 regular season in program history, Indiana met Ohio State on Saturday night in the Big Ten Championship game inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Hoosiers had revenge on their minds — and they got it, as the Cream and Crimson defeated the Buckeyes 13-10 to earn their first Big Ten Championship game victory. The win, a program-defining one, marks Indiana’s first over Ohio State since 1988.
The Buckeyes displayed their physicality from the onset of the game, as senior defensive end Caden Curry leveled Fernando Mendoza. The redshirt junior quarterback lay on the field before exiting the contest. He returned after missing just one play.
After the Hoosiers were forced to punt, sixth-year senior safety Louis Moore intercepted Ohio State sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin’s pass. However, Indiana couldn’t capitalize on its positive field position and settled for a field goal.
The Buckeyes picked off Mendoza on the Hoosiers’ following drive. Sayin connected with junior receiver Carnell Tate just three plays later for a nine-yard touchdown.
Indiana redshirt sophomore kicker Nico Radicic missed a 39-yard field goal. Then, on the Buckeyes’ ensuing drive, they made a 30-yard field goal to take a seven-point lead. Radicic made a 32-yard attempt on the Hoosiers’ next possession, as the Cream and Crimson trailed by four points at halftime.
Although the Buckeyes began the second half with the ball, the Hoosiers forced a punt. With Indiana’s offense facing a third and short, Mendoza connected with sophomore receiver Charlie Becker for a 51-yard gain. Just four plays later, Mendoza found senior receiver Elijah Sarratt for a 17-yard touchdown — which proved to be the game-winner — to give the Hoosiers a 13-10 advantage.
Both squads’ defensive prowess set in throughout the rest of the third quarter and much of the fourth. But the Buckeyes drove down the field and had a 27-yard field goal attempt to knot the game at 13. However, senior kicker Jayden Fielding missed the chip shot as the Hoosiers took over on downs with 2:48 remaining.
Facing another third down, Mendoza found Becker for a 33-yard gain and a crucial first down. Indiana managed to run all but 18 seconds off the clock. And while the Buckeyes regained possession, the Hoosiers held them off to earn the victory.
Mendoza finished 15 for 23 for 222 yards passing, one touchdown and an interception. Becker led the Hoosiers in receiving with six receptions for 126 yards.
The Hoosiers (13-0 overall) will jump the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff rankings, slotting in at the No. 1 overall seed. The 12-team bracket will be released at noon Sunday on the CFP selection show, which will be televised on ESPN.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and columnist Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa and qmrichar@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
