BLOOMINGTON — Ohio State came to Indiana looking for revenge. The Buckeyes got it Saturday afternoon, ending the defending national champions' 22-game winning streak with a hard-fought 19-15 victory at Memorial Stadium.
The fourth-ranked Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) overcame two interceptions, persistent problems in pass protection, and a fourth-quarter injury to quarterback Julian Sayin to hand No. 5 Indiana its first defeat since 2024.
The victory also avenged last season's 13-10 loss to the Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Ohio State opened the game with a 67-yard drive, but settled for a 26-yard field goal from Caden Hawkins after stalling inside Indiana's 10-yard line. The Buckeyes struggled to move the football over their next several possessions, and Indiana took advantage early in the second quarter.
Sayin was intercepted by Amare Ferrell, who returned the ball to the Ohio State 7-yard line. Two plays later, Turbo Richard scored from seven yards out to give Indiana a 7-3 lead.
The Buckeyes answered with their best drive of the first half, marching 80 yards in 15 plays. With just seven seconds remaining and facing fourth-and-goal from the Indiana 2-yard line, Sayin connected with Bo Jackson for a touchdown that gave Ohio State a 10-7 halftime advantage.
It was the first time Indiana had trailed at halftime in a home game under head coach Curt Cignetti.
The Buckeyes received a huge defensive lift early in the third quarter when Jay Timmons forced a fumble by Indiana receiver D'Angelo Chandler, which Eli Little Jr. recovered. It was Indiana's first lost fumble in 1,437 offensive plays, ending a remarkable streak, which at the time was the longest in the nation. Ohio State converted the turnover into a 29-yard Hawkins field goal, extending its lead to 13-7.
Timmons was outstanding throughout the afternoon, making several important tackles and breaking up passes while helping contain Indiana's talented receivers. The Buckeyes' defense also benefited from two missed Indiana field goals, from 32 and 55 yards.
Ohio State finally found some breathing room early in the fourth quarter, thanks to another historic moment from Jeremiah Smith.
Facing fourth-and-one at the Indiana 38, Sayin found Smith for an incredible touchdown catch with 12:46 remaining. The reception was Smith's 39th career touchdown catch, tying Michigan's Braylon Edwards for the Big Ten career record. Ohio State's two-point conversion failed, leaving the Buckeyes ahead 19-7.
Indiana wasn't finished. Quarterback Josh Hoover responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Nick Marsh, and a successful two-point conversion cut Ohio State's lead to 19-15 with 10:30 remaining.
Things became even more concerning when Sayin suffered an apparent right arm injury on an 18-yard sack with 8:05 remaining. Sayin fumbled on the play, but Phillip Daniels recovered the football. Sayin subsequently headed to the locker room, forcing backup Luke Fahey into action. Sayin later would come back from the locker room with a sling on his right arm.
With its starting quarterback unavailable, Ohio State leaned on its running game and defense to protect the four-point lead.
Indiana had one final opportunity, driving into Ohio State territory in the closing minutes. But the Buckeyes' stopped the Hoosiers on fourth-and-four from the Ohio State 27-yard line when wide receiver Nick Marsh stepped out of bounds on a sure touchdown catch with 1:02 to play, effectively ending the game.
The win wasn't pretty. Ohio State scored touchdowns on just one of its three red-zone opportunities, Sayin faced relentless pressure, and the offense struggled to find consistency for much of the afternoon.
But the defense delivered against one of the country's most productive offenses, holding Indiana to just 15 points and making the plays necessary to end the Hoosiers' remarkable winning streak.
What's Next
Ohio State has a bye week before traveling to Los Angeles to face USC on Saturday, October 31. The Buckeyes will use the extra week to prepare for another challenging Big Ten road matchup and assess the status of starting quarterback Julian Sayin following his fourth-quarter injury against Indiana.
