Wait, did you check the calendar? If you’re looking for a box score from a football game played yesterday, January 15, 2026, I have to give it to you straight: the Ohio State football team didn't play a game yesterday. I know, it’s confusing. The buzz around Columbus is usually deafening this time of year, but the gridiron at Ohio Stadium was quiet. While there was plenty of scarlet and gray action on the court and the pitch, the football season actually wrapped up a couple of weeks ago in a way that most fans are still trying to process.
Let's clear up the confusion about who actually played, who won, and where the football team is currently sitting while they watch the National Championship from the sidelines.
The Confusion: There Was a Game, Just Not Football
If you saw headlines about a "Buckeye Win" yesterday, you were likely seeing news from the Ohio State Men’s Volleyball team or the Women’s Basketball squad.
Honestly, the volleyball team is on a tear. They took down George Mason in a 3-0 sweep yesterday, January 15. It wasn't exactly a blowout in the first two sets—they went into overtime with scores of 26-24 and 29-27—but Shane Wetzel was a beast, putting up 17 kills.
And if you’re a basketball fan, the women’s team absolutely demolished Penn State 108-84 on Wednesday night. Jaloni Cambridge dropped 33 points. It was offensive fireworks, just not the kind that involves a pigskin.
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What Really Happened with Ohio State Football
So, if they didn't play yesterday, who won the Ohio State football game the last time they actually took the field?
That would be the Miami Hurricanes.
The Buckeyes' season ended on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. It was a College Football Playoff (CFP) Quarterfinal matchup that honestly felt like a gut punch to the Buckeye faithful. Ohio State entered that game as the No. 2 seed and was favored by nearly 10 points.
They lost 24-14.
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The Cotton Bowl Breakdown
It was a weird, frustrating game. The Buckeyes' offense, led by Julian Sayin, just couldn't get into a rhythm. Sayin threw for 287 yards and a touchdown to Jeremiah Smith, but those two interceptions were killers. One was a 72-yard pick-six by Miami’s Keionte Scott that basically set the tone for the night.
- Final Score: Miami 24, Ohio State 14
- Key Stat: Julian Sayin was sacked 5 times. For context, he was only sacked 6 times during the entire regular season.
- The Turning Point: A late 4th-quarter interception by Jakobe Thomas sealed the deal for the Hurricanes.
Why People are Still Searching for the Score
It’s easy to see why the "yesterday" search is trending. We are currently in the peak of the College Football Playoff cycle. The National Championship is set for Monday, January 19, 2026.
Because the semifinals were just played on January 8 and 9 (where Miami beat Ole Miss and Indiana crushed Oregon), many fans are checking their phones every morning wondering if they missed a midweek playoff game.
But since Ohio State was knocked out in the Quarterfinals, they’ve been in "retool" mode.
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What’s Happening in the "Shoe" Right Now?
Even though there was no game yesterday, the news cycle hasn't stopped. Yesterday actually brought some of the biggest news for the next season.
A handful of heavy hitters in the trenches announced they are staying in Columbus instead of heading to the NFL Draft. We’re talking about Luke Montgomery, Austin Siereveld, and Carson Hinzman.
Basically, the offensive line that got bullied by Miami in the Cotton Bowl is coming back for revenge. Siereveld, who didn't give up a single sack in over 800 snaps this year, is going to be the anchor for the 2026-27 run.
The Road Ahead for Ohio State
While Indiana and Miami prepare to face off for the title on Monday, the Buckeyes are already looking at their 2026 opener. They’ll kick things off on September 5, 2026, against Ball State.
If you're looking for actionable ways to stay on top of the actual schedule so you don't get caught searching for "yesterday's score" when there wasn't one, here is what you should do:
- Sync the Composite Calendar: The official Ohio State Athletics site has a "Composite Schedule" that includes every sport. It’s the only way to distinguish a volleyball sweep from a football win.
- Watch the National Championship: On Monday, January 19, watch Miami vs. Indiana. Since Miami is the team that knocked OSU out, it’s a good way to see exactly how high the bar is for next year.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: The "Skull Session" reports from yesterday mentioned Earl Little Jr. and others. The roster for the next "real" game is being built right now.
The Buckeyes didn't win or lose a football game yesterday, but the work they did in the weight room and the meeting rooms yesterday is what will determine if they're still playing this time next year.