For the first time in program history, the Indiana University Hoosiers are Big Ten Champions.
In a gritty, defensive slugfest under the bright lights accompanied by a sea of red in Lucas Oil Stadium, No. 2 Indiana defeated No. 1 Ohio State 13-10 on Dec. 6, securing the conference title and capping a perfect 13-0 season.
The victory marks the program’s first conference title since a shared championship in 1967 and its first-ever win in the Big Ten Championship Game.
“Great win; gutty game; hard-fought, physical football game,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said. “We found a way to survive it, made the plays when we had to.”
The game, billed as a clash of offensive juggernauts, morphed into a defensive chess match that came down to the final moments. Indiana’s defense, which entered the game ranked among the nation’s best, stifled Ohio State’s attack when it mattered most, recording five sacks and holding the Buckeyes to only 10 points.
Linebacker Rolijah Hardy led the Hoosier defense with 10 total tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Isaiah Jones added seven tackles and two sacks, spearheading a squad that consistently pressured Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.
“We knew it was going to come down to us,” Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher said of the defense’s mindset in the fourth quarter. “As long as they didn’t score, they didn’t win.”
The Buckeyes (12-1) threatened late, driving into Indiana territory in the waning moments, trailing by three. However, the Hoosier defense held firm, forcing a field goal attempt that sailed wide, sealing the historic victory.
“Very disappointed overall with how we played,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said. “Not very good in the red zone, obviously in the end … This is a tough lesson to learn, but we have to be more efficient across the board.”
Offensively, Indiana relied on timely playmaking to overcome a sluggish start. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza battled through an early injury scare to guide the offense, connecting with wide receiver Elijah Sarratt for the Hoosiers’ lone touchdown. While passing statistics were hard to come by in the defensive standoff, wide receiver Charlie Becker proved to be a critical outlet, hauling in six receptions for a game-high 126 yards.
“I will die for my brothers on that field,” Mendoza said regarding his return to the game after a brutal hit. “No matter (if) it’s a gut punch, whether it’s a head punch, whatever it is, I’m always going to get back up.”
Star receiver for IU and Lawrence North High School graduate Omar Cooper Jr. left the game with an injury early and did not return.
Running back Kaelon Black led the Hoosiers on the ground with 69 yards on 16 carries, while Roman Hemby added 52 yards.
The game shifted in the third quarter when Indiana engineered an 88-yard touchdown drive to take the lead, a sequence Cignetti highlighted as a turning point.
“We were able to get on top of them in some critical situations,” Cignetti said. “Fernando delivered dimes and the receivers made some nice catches.”
For Ohio State, freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith was a bright spot, catching eight passes for 144 yards. However, the Buckeyes struggled to convert yardage into points, going 0-for-2 on crucial red-zone trips that yielded no points.
“When you get into the red zone, and you don’t finish, that’s how you lose games,” Day said.
The victory serves as a crowning achievement for Cignetti in just his second season in Bloomington. Having taken over a program with no prior 10-win seasons, he has now led the Hoosiers to 13 wins, a No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
“I think this kind of was the final nail in the coffin for any of the Indiana doubters,” Jones said. “This was the last thing that needed to be proved. And I think we did it.”
Despite the confetti and the trophy presentation, Cignetti remained focused on the road ahead.
“It’s a great win for us, obviously, our first Big Ten title,” Cignetti said. “Now I’ve got three and a half weeks to kind of humble this team again and get them ready for the playoffs.”
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or noralp@indyrecorder.com. Parham is the owner of Horsemen Sports Media. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver. He is also the owner and founder of Horsemen Sports Media.
