Indiana shocks Ohio State 13–10 to win its first Big Ten title since 1967, ending decades of heartbreak and securing a likely No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
INDIANAPOLIS — In one of the most stunning finishes college football has seen in years, No. 2 Indiana defeated No. 1 Ohio State 13–10 on Saturday to win the Big Ten Championship — the program’s first outright conference title since 1967. The Hoosiers’ gritty performance at Lucas Oil Stadium ended decades of frustration, snapped a 30-plus-year losing streak against the Buckeyes, and positioned Indiana for the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
The victory also marked Indiana’s first win over Ohio State since 1988, a streak that had loomed over the program for more than three decades. This time, under the bright lights of Indianapolis and with everything on the line, Indiana delivered a performance worthy of rewriting its football history.
A Defensive Battle With Championship Stakes
Saturday’s title game quickly became the intense, physical contest expected from a rare No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. Indiana struck first with a pair of field goals before Ohio State answered with a touchdown and a field goal to take a 10–6 lead into halftime.
Momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who briefly left the game after being injured on the first offensive play, returned to lead a crucial scoring drive. His 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt put the Hoosiers ahead 13–10 — a lead they never surrendered.
From that point on, Indiana’s defense took command. The Hoosiers held Ohio State scoreless for the entire second half, stifling their high-powered offense and pressuring quarterback Julian Sayin throughout the final quarter.
Ohio State’s last opportunity came with a potential game-tying field goal in the closing minutes. But the kick sailed wide, and the stadium erupted as Indiana’s sideline stormed the field.
Mendoza’s Grit and Indiana’s Resolve
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s performance embodied Indiana’s resilience. Despite absorbing a hard hit on the opening play, he returned to throw for more than 200 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. His poise under pressure became a defining force in the Hoosiers’ victory.
Indiana’s defense, meanwhile, delivered its strongest outing of the season. The unit, praised all year for its discipline and physicality, overwhelmed Ohio State’s offensive line and forced the Buckeyes into several stalled drives.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin threw for more than 250 yards and a touchdown, but he was consistently pressured and unable to mount the comeback his team desperately needed.
A Win More Than 50 Years in the Making
Indiana’s last outright Big Ten title came in 1945, with the team’s most recent shared title in 1967. Since then, the Hoosiers have endured long stretches of unremarkable football seasons, coaching changes, and scattered bowl appearances.
This victory, then, was not simply a conference championship — it was a symbolic turning point. After decades of being overshadowed by Big Ten powerhouses, Indiana has finally forced its way into the national conversation as a true contender.
It also snapped a long and painful losing streak to Ohio State that had stood since 1988. For many Indiana fans, this win will be remembered as the moment the program shed its underdog identity for good.
The Significance of a No. 1 vs. No. 2 Championship Game
The matchup itself carried historical weight even before kickoff. Saturday’s showdown was only the third time in college football history that a conference championship featured the nation’s top two teams.
The stakes were clear:
- The winner would likely secure the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
- The loser would still likely reach the postseason but with a more difficult path ahead.
- A decades-old rivalry would be elevated to national prominence.
For Indiana, the moment proved monumental. For Ohio State, which has dominated the Big Ten landscape for years, the loss ended a 16-game winning streak and complicated their postseason outlook.
Echoes of 1967 and a New Era for the Hoosiers
Indiana fans immediately drew comparisons to the legendary 1967 team that reached the Rose Bowl. With the College Football Playoff format shifting this season, the Hoosiers are poised to return to the Rose Bowl for the first time since that historic run.
Head coach Curt Cignetti’s leadership has transformed the program. In just one season, he has guided Indiana to an undefeated record, restored national relevance, and engineered one of college football’s most surprising and inspiring success stories.
His emphasis on discipline, physical play, and consistent preparation has created a culture shift that has rapidly paid dividends.
Postseason Outlook: A New Giant Emerges
With the Big Ten Championship secured, Indiana is expected to be awarded the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, giving the Hoosiers a first-round bye and a clear path to the national semifinals.
Their likely destination? The Rose Bowl — the same venue that cemented Indiana’s football legacy more than half a century ago.
Ohio State, now 12–1, remains a strong playoff contender. Despite the loss, their résumé should earn them a high seed, though they face a tougher postseason bracket compared to what a victory would have provided.
For the Hoosiers, the question now becomes even bigger: Can Indiana turn this magical season into a national championship?
A Moment Indiana Will Never Forget
Indiana’s win over Ohio State was more than an upset — it was a statement. It was the culmination of years of rebuilding, renewed belief, and the rise of a team that refused to accept its place as a perennial underdog.
By defeating the top-ranked Buckeyes on the sport’s biggest conference stage, the Hoosiers have rewritten their history and reshaped their future.
No matter how the postseason unfolds, Indiana’s 2025 team has already etched its legacy as one of the most important squads in school history.
And for the first time since 1967, the Hoosiers are marching into January as Big Ten champions — and as legitimate national title contenders.