No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 5 Indiana 19-15 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, snapping the Hoosiers’ 22-game winning streak and handing the reigning national champions their first loss since December 2024. It was also Indiana’s first home loss in 19 games and the first time Indiana trailed at halftime at home under head coach Curt Cignetti.
Ohio State won despite losing starting quarterback Julian Sayin to an injury late in the game. Heisman frontrunner Jeremiah Smith scored a fourth-quarter touchdown on a leaping 38-yard catch that proved decisive, and the Buckeyes’ defense held firm in the final minutes to preserve the win.
A Back-and-Forth First Half
Ohio State opened the scoring with a field goal after Sayin drove the Buckeyes into Indiana territory on their first possession. Late in the first half, Sayin led Ohio State to a goal-to-go situation. After Indiana’s defense stuffed the Buckeyes on three straight plays, coach Ryan Day elected to go for it on fourth down. Sayin found a wide-open Bo Jackson in the flat for a touchdown, giving Ohio State a 10-7 lead.
Indiana’s only touchdown of the first half came after a Sayin interception deep in Ohio State territory. Two plays later, running back Turbo Richard scored on a 7-yard run. Indiana later drove into scoring range again, but kicker Nico Radicic’s 32-yard field goal attempt hit the upright. Ohio State led 10-7 at halftime.
Ohio State Extends Its Lead
Ohio State opened the third quarter with another field goal, pushing its lead to 13-7. The teams then traded turnovers. Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover was sacked on fourth-and-4 by Ohio State’s Jaylen McClain, turning the ball over on downs. Ohio State failed to capitalize, however, as Sayin’s deep pass to Smith was intercepted by Indiana defensive back Amare Ferrell — his second interception of the game.
Hoover appeared to be playing through an injury after the hit but stayed in the game. Indiana drove into Buckeye territory again, but Radicic’s attempt at a career-long 55-yard field goal fell short, keeping Ohio State ahead 13-7 into the fourth quarter.
A Fourth-Quarter Battle
On fourth-and-1 from the Indiana 38, Sayin threw a play-action pass toward the end zone that Smith leaped over defenders to catch for a 38-yard touchdown, putting Ohio State up 19-7. The Buckeyes failed on the two-point conversion attempt.
Indiana answered quickly. Wide receiver Nick Marsh caught a 19-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 19-13, and Indiana converted a two-point attempt when Hoover found Richard in the flat, making it 19-15.
Ohio State drove into Indiana territory looking to extend its lead, but Indiana defensive end Mario Landino sacked Sayin for an 18-yard loss, knocking him out of the game. Freshman Luke Fahey took over at quarterback for Ohio State. Indiana’s defense forced a punt to give Hoover a chance to retake the lead with just over five minutes remaining, but the Hoosiers’ offense stalled and punted the ball back.
Indiana’s defense forced a three-and-out, giving Hoover one more chance with just over three minutes left. On fourth down, Hoover threw to Marsh, but the catch came out of bounds, sealing Ohio State’s 19-15 victory.
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