No. 4 Ohio State defeated No. 5 Indiana 19-15 on Saturday, snapping the Hoosiers' 22-game winning streak and handing them their first loss since December 2024.
The Buckeyes' victory at Memorial Stadium ended Indiana's home winning streak at 19 games and marked the first time coach Curt Cignetti's team had trailed at halftime in their home stadium this season.
Ohio State struck first with a field goal, then quarterback Julian Sayin found Bo Jackson in the flat for a touchdown to put the Buckeyes ahead 10-7. Indiana responded with an interception deep in Ohio State territory, and running back Turbo Richard scored from 7 yards out to tie the game before Ohio State kicked a field goal to lead 10-7 at halftime.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, made a 38-yard touchdown reception on a play-action pass from Sayin in the fourth quarter to extend Ohio State's lead to 19-7.
Indiana rallied with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Josh Hoover to Nick Marsh and a successful two-point conversion with Richard to cut the deficit to 19-15. But Hoover's desperation fourth-down pass to Marsh sailed out of bounds with just over five minutes remaining, sealing the victory for Ohio State.
Ohio State's defense proved crucial throughout the game. The Buckeyes sacked Hoover on fourth-and-4 to force a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter. Although Sayin was intercepted by Amare Ferrell on a deep pass, Ohio State's defense held when it mattered most.
Sayin departed late in the game due to injury, with freshman Luke Fahey taking over as the Buckeyes' offense stalled in the final minutes. Despite losing its starting quarterback, Ohio State's defense held firm as Indiana mounted a late comeback attempt.
The loss marks a significant test for Indiana, a program that had not faced adversity in nearly a year. For Ohio State, the road victory demonstrated the Buckeyes' ability to win against an in-form opponent despite losing their starting quarterback.
