It finally happened. For thirty years, the script was written in stone: Ohio State shows up, Indiana plays tough for a quarter or two, and eventually, the talent gap swallows the Hoosiers whole. But on December 6, 2025, in front of a record-shattering crowd of 68,214 at Lucas Oil Stadium, the script was shredded.
The final ohio state indiana football score of 13-10 doesn’t just represent a loss for the Buckeyes. It marks the end of a 30-game winning streak that felt like it would last forever. Honestly, if you grew up watching Big Ten football, seeing Indiana fans celebrate a conference title—their first outright championship since 1945—is surreal. It’s like seeing a glitch in the matrix.
The Scoreboard Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
A 13-10 game usually sounds like a slog. In many ways, it was. But it was a high-stakes slog between the top two teams in the country. This wasn't just a regular-season clash like their 2024 meeting in Columbus where Ohio State cruised to a 38-15 win. This was for the Big Ten Championship.
The Buckeyes led 10-6 at the half. They looked like they were in control, even if they weren't exactly lighting the world on fire. Julian Sayin, the young gunslinger under center for Ohio State, connected with Carnell Tate for a 9-yard touchdown in the first quarter that gave the Buckeyes a 7-3 lead.
But then things got weird.
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A Breakdown of the Scoring
- First Quarter: Nicolas Radicic opens with a 29-yard field goal for Indiana. Buckeyes answer with a Julian Sayin 9-yard pass to Carnell Tate. Score: 7-3 OSU.
- Second Quarter: Jayden Fielding hits a 30-yarder for the Buckeyes. Indiana’s Radicic answers with a 32-yard field goal. Score: 10-6 OSU.
- Third Quarter: The turning point. Fernando Mendoza finds Elijah Sarratt for a 17-yard touchdown. Score: 13-10 IU.
- Fourth Quarter: Zero points. Just pure, unadulterated defensive tension.
Why the Ohio State Indiana Football Score Stunned the Nation
Most people expected the Buckeyes to lean on their defensive depth. And they did—to an extent. They held Indiana to zero rushing touchdowns. They limited them to 340 total yards. But the Hoosiers' defense, coached by Curt Cignetti, was a brick wall when it mattered.
The most crushing moment for Ohio State fans? It had to be the 27-yard field goal attempt by Jayden Fielding with less than three minutes to play. He hooked it wide left.
You’ve got a kicker who’s been solid all year, the game on the line, and he just... misses. It happens, but it felt like the air was sucked out of the entire Ohio State sideline at that exact moment.
Key Stats That Actually Mattered
- Rushing Dominance (or lack thereof): Ohio State only managed 58 rushing yards. In a Big Ten championship game, that is a recipe for disaster. Bo Jackson, who had been a beast all season, was held in check.
- The Mendoza Factor: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza got hurt on the very first play. He missed one snap, came back in, and finished 15-of-23 for 222 yards and that game-winning TD to Sarratt. That’s grit.
- Possession: It was almost perfectly split (30:13 for OSU vs 29:47 for IU), which tells you how much of a stalemate this really was.
The Cignetti Era is Real
When Curt Cignetti took over in Bloomington, people laughed when he talked about winning. Nobody is laughing now. Indiana is 13-0. They ended a 16-game winning streak for Ohio State. They snapped a 30-game losing streak against the Buckeyes.
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Basically, Cignetti has done in two years what most coaches couldn't do in fifty.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day described the loss as a "tough lesson." That’s an understatement. The Buckeyes entered the game as the No. 1 team in the country and left with questions about their offensive line’s ability to handle elite pressure.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Game
A lot of critics are saying Ohio State "choked." That’s a bit lazy. Indiana earned this win by making the Buckeyes play a style of football they weren't comfortable with. They forced Sayin into quick decisions and neutralized the deep threat of Jeremiah Smith, who, despite having 144 yards, was kept out of the end zone.
Indiana played "keep away." They used 33-yard passes to Charlie Becker on third downs to drain the clock and force Ohio State to burn timeouts. It was a masterclass in situational football.
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Where Does Ohio State Go From Here?
The ohio state indiana football score of 13-10 is a blemish on an otherwise stellar season, but it isn't the end of the road. Because of the 12-team playoff format, Ohio State is still very much alive. They dropped to 12-1 and will likely take the No. 2 seed.
Indiana, meanwhile, takes the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. They are headed to the Rose Bowl, and for the first time in history, the Hoosiers might actually be the favorites to win the whole thing.
Next Steps for the Buckeyes:
- Shore up the Interior: The 2.2 yards per rush average is a massive red flag. The offensive line needs to find its identity again before the playoff quarterfinals.
- Kicking Game Confidence: Ryan Day needs to decide if he trusts Fielding in the clutch or if he needs to rethink his red-zone aggressiveness.
- Focus on the Bye: Use the extra week to heal up. Sayin took some big hits, and the Buckeyes need him at 100% for the stretch run.
The era of Indiana being a "basketball school" is officially dead. This win wasn't a fluke; it was a statement. If you're a Buckeye fan, it's a bitter pill. If you're a Hoosier, it's the greatest night in program history. Either way, the 2025 Big Ten title game will be talked about for decades.