For the first time since December 2024, Indiana has lost a football game.
No. 4 Ohio State snapped Indiana’s 22-game winning streak, beating No. 5 Indiana 19-15 despite losing star quarterback Julian Sayin to an injury on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. It was Indiana’s first home loss in 19 games.
Heisman frontrunner Jeremiah Smith scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter with a spectacular catch, and Ohio State’s defense repeatedly stood tall during the fourth quarter, holding the reigning national champions at bay.
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Ohio State bookended the first-half scoring. Julian Sayin came out firing, quickly driving the Buckeyes into Indiana territory before the Hoosiers’ defense stood tall and forced a field goal. On the final possession of the first half, Sayin drove the Buckeyes into a goal-to-go situation.
The Hoosiers’ defense shut Ohio State down on the first three plays, but Ryan Day decided to go for it. Day’s gamble paid off, as Sayin found a wide-open Bo Jackson in the flat for a touchdown, putting Ohio State up 10-7.
Indiana’s lone touchdown in the first half came after a Sayin interception. The Buckeyes quarterback’s pass was intercepted deep in Ohio State territory, and two plays later, Hoosiers running back Turbo Richard scored on a 7-yard touchdown run.
Indiana once again drove into Ohio State territory and seemed primed to score, but kicker Nico Radicic’s 32-yard field goal clanged off the upright.
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Down 10-7 at halftime, Indiana trailed at home at the break for the first time under Curt Cignetti.
Ohio State got the ball first in the third quarter and, as it did in the first quarter, opened the half with a field goal to extend its lead to 13-7.
After Ohio State’s field goal, the teams traded turnovers. With Indiana in Ohio State territory, Hoosiers quarterback Josh Hoover was crushed from behind by Ohio State defender Jaylen McClain on fourth-and-4, resulting in a sack and a turnover on downs.
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However, the Buckeyes couldn’t capitalize, as Sayin threw a deep pass to Jeremiah Smith that was intercepted by defensive back Amare Ferrell, his second interception of the day.
After the big hit on the previous drive, Hoover remained in the game but appeared to be playing through an injury. Despite that, Indiana was able to drive the ball into Buckeye territory again, but the Hoosiers were unable to capitalize. Radicic attempted a career-long 55-yard field goal, but it fell short, keeping Ohio State ahead 13-7.
In the fourth quarter, Smith, the aforementioned Heisman frontrunner, made his presence felt. On fourth-and-1 from the Indiana 38, Sayin launched a play-action pass toward the end zone, and Smith leaped over everyone else to haul it in for a 38-yard touchdown that put Ohio State up 19-7. The Buckeyes went for a two-point conversion but failed to convert.
Indiana promptly responded with a touchdown of its own , as wide receiver Nick Marsh hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass to cut Ohio State’s lead to 19-13. Unlike Ohio State, Indiana went for two and converted, as Hoover found Richard in the flat to cut the deficit to 19-15.
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Ohio State looked to be mounting a response as it drove into Indiana territory, but Hoosiers defensive end Mario Landino hammered Sayin for an 18-yard sack and knocked him out of the game.
The Buckeyes were forced to turn to freshman quarterback Luke Fahey. With Fahey in the game, the Hoosiers’ defense forced a punt to get the ball back to Hoover, giving Indiana a chance to take the lead with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Yet, Indiana couldn’t do anything with it and punted the ball right back. With Sayin on the sideline in a sling, Ohio State’s fate was in Fahey’s hands.
The Hoosiers’ defense smelled blood and forced a three-and-out to once again give their offense another shot with just over three minutes left in the game.
For a brief moment, it looked like Indiana had scored the game-winning touchdown. On fourth down, Hoover took a shot for Marsh, but Marsh caught the ball out of bounds, sealing Ohio State’s 19-15 win.
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