Indiana University Hoosiers’ perfect season ended on Nov. 23 as Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a commanding 38-15 victory in front of 105,751 fans at Ohio Stadium.
The loss drops the Hoosiers to 10-1 (7-1 Big Ten), while the Buckeyes improve to an identical record of 10-1 (7-1), vaulting them into prime contention for a spot in the Big Ten Championship game on Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said they have been preparing for the Hoosiers for weeks.
“We know we want to be playing our best football, and we also know what is at stake,” Day said after the game. “If we don’t win this game, we have no chance of going to Indianapolis and playing in the Big Ten Championship; we’ve had that approach for a few weeks now, or more than that.”
The highly anticipated matchup, featuring two top five teams, began with Indiana showcasing why it was undefeated. Ty Son Lawton’s 2-yard touchdown run capped an 11-play, 70-yard drive, giving Indiana an early 7-0 lead.
However, Ohio State quickly turned the tide, exploiting Indiana’s mistakes and leaning on their quarterback Will Howard’s precision. Howard completed 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns, including a crucial 11-yard strike to Emeka Egbuka that tied the game in the second quarter.
Momentum shifted just before halftime when the Buckeyes capitalized on an Indiana fumble deep in their territory. Running back TreVeyon Henderson punched in a 4-yard touchdown to give Ohio State a 14-7 edge.
Ohio State’s special teams delivered a dagger early in the third quarter. Caleb Downs returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 21-7.
The Hoosiers struggled offensively, managing just 151 total yards and allowing five sacks. As Ohio State’s defensive front dominated the trenches, quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed only 8-18 passes for 68 yards. Lawton was a bright spot for the Hoosiers, rushing for 79 yards and two scores. However, the team’s inability to protect their quarterback and sustain drives proved costly.
The Buckeyes’ balanced attack produced 316 yards, with Henderson adding 68 rushing yards to his touchdown. The Buckeyes’ defense stifled the Hoosiers, holding them to an average of 2.6 yards per play.
The victory gives Ohio State the inside track to represent the East Division in the Big Ten Championship, pending their final game against Michigan next weekend. Indiana, seeking its first win over Ohio State since 1988, now faces in-state rival Purdue to close the regular season. Both teams remain contenders for the College Football Playoff, but this loss complicates Indiana’s path significantly.
Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti is already looking ahead to the matchup against Purdue.
“(I’m) looking forward to this (Purdue) game,” Cignetti said. “I said what I had to say about the College Football Playoff after the game. The only thing I’m going to say today is we’re sitting in a good spot. But we’ve got to take care of business. That’s that.”
As the Big Ten title race narrows, Ohio State, Indiana and Penn State each hold one conference loss. Tie-breaking scenarios could play a pivotal role in determining the championship game participants.
For information on tickets to the Big Ten Championship game, visit Bigten.org.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral.
