Indiana vs Ohio State just delivered the biggest shock of the 2025 college football season: the #2 Hoosiers beat the undefeated #1 Buckeyes 13-10 to win the Big Ten Championship and claim the #1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Indianapolis, IN – December 7, 2025 – In a game that will be replayed for decades, Indiana vs Ohio State ended with the Hoosiers hoisting the Big Ten trophy after a suffocating defensive performance and a clutch second-half touchdown. Curt Cignetti’s Cinderella squad finished the regular season 13-0 and now heads to the playoff as the top seed, while Ryan Day’s Buckeyes suffer their first loss at the worst possible moment.
The Indiana vs Ohio State matchup was billed as David vs Goliath: Ohio State entered 12-0, ranked #1 nationally, with the nation’s best defense and Heisman favorite in QB Julian Sayin. Indiana, in Cignetti’s first year, had already exceeded every expectation, but few gave them a chance against the Buckeyes’ star-studded roster.
Yet from the opening kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana vs Ohio State looked nothing like the predicted blowout. The Hoosiers’ defense – led by All-American candidate Mikail Kamara – swarmed Sayin, sacking him three times and holding OSU to just 109 passing yards. Ohio State took a 10-6 halftime lead on a Carnell Tate touchdown catch and a field goal, but the Buckeyes managed only 3 points after the break.
The Turning Point
The second half belonged to Indiana football. Fernando Mendoza, the transfer QB who has been the heartbeat of this miracle run, engineered a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 12-yard strike to tight end Ruli Nowakoski for the go-ahead score. Charlie Becker, stepping up for injured star receiver Omar Cooper Jr., hauled in 7 catches for 126 yards and drew constant double-teams that opened space underneath.
Ohio State’s final drive reached Indiana’s 38-yard line with 1:48 left, but on 4th-and-1, Kamara and the Hoosiers’ front stuffed TreVeyon Henderson for no gain. The stadium – packed with more crimson than scarlet – erupted as the clock hit zero.
By the Numbers – Indiana vs Ohio State
| Stat | Indiana | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 13 | 10 |
| Total Yards | 312 | 248 |
| Passing Yards | 222 | 109 |
| Rushing Yards | 90 | 139 |
| Time of Possession | 32:18 | 27:42 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 7/14 | 3/11 |
| Sacks By | 3 | 1 |
What This Means for Both Teams
For Indiana football, it’s immortality. Curt Cignetti – the coach who turned James Madison into a powerhouse – has now done the impossible at Bloomington. The Hoosiers are Big Ten champions for the first time since 1967, 13-0, and the #1 seed in the 12-team CFP. They’ll enjoy a first-round bye and host a quarterfinal at Memorial Stadium.
Ohio State, despite the loss, is still expected to land a top-4 seed thanks to strength of schedule. Ryan Day falls to 1-4 in his last five games against top-5 opponents, and the “can’t win the big one” narrative will follow him into the playoff.
Post-Game Reactions
Curt Cignetti, soaked in Gatorade: “This is for every kid who was told Indiana can’t win the big one. We just did.”
Ryan Day: “Credit to Indiana – they outplayed us tonight. We’ll learn from it and be ready for the playoff.”
Charlie Becker, named MVP: “I lost my brother this year. This one’s for him.”
What’s Next
Indiana vs Ohio State rematch in the playoff? It’s possible – and college football fans are already praying for it.
The Hoosiers now wait to see who they’ll face in the CFP quarterfinals. Ohio State will likely host a first-round game in two weeks.
One thing is certain: after tonight, nobody is sleeping on Indiana football anymore.
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