INDIANAPOLIS — For 80 years, Indiana waited. For 36 years, they couldn't beat Ohio State. For 58 years, they couldn't win a Big Ten title outright.
On Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, all of that ended.
No. 2 Indiana stunned No. 1 Ohio State 13-10 in a defensive slugfest to capture the program's first outright Big Ten Championship since 1945 and first victory over the Buckeyes since Oct. 8, 1988. The win likely guarantees the Hoosiers the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff and a first-round bye.
The victory caps the greatest season in Indiana football history. The Hoosiers finished the regular season 13-0, becoming just the second undefeated team in program history and the first since Bo McMillin's 1945 squad went 9-0-1.
How It Happened
This was a defensive battle from the opening whistle, and Indiana's unit rose to the occasion against the nation's most efficient offense.
The Hoosiers held Ohio State to just 58 rushing yards on 26 attempts — well below their season average of 79.3 rushing yards allowed per game. Julian Sayin, who entered the game leading the nation with a 78.9% completion rate, was 21 of 29 for 258 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Linebacker Isaiah Jones led the charge with two of IU's five sacks, while Rolijah Hardy tallied a team-high 10 tackles.
Ohio State jumped out to a 7-3 lead after the first quarter, and the Buckeyes took a 10-6 advantage into halftime. But Indiana's defense clamped down in the second half, holding the Buckeyes scoreless over the final two quarters.
The Hoosiers took the lead for good midway through the third quarter on a Mendoza 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt.
The Turning Point
With 2:48 remaining and the Buckeyes trailing by three, Ohio State lined up for a 29-yard field goal from the right hash to tie the game.
Jayden Fielding's kick hooked wide left.
Indiana took over with a chance to run out the clock but faced a critical third-and-6. Mendoza, who had struggled at times in the red zone, delivered when it mattered most — a 33-yard strike to Charlie Becker that moved the chains and allowed the Hoosiers to bleed the clock and punt it back to OSU with 17 seconds left in the game.
Game over. Indiana wins.
Becker Steps Up, Again
The Hoosiers lost star receiver Omar Cooper Jr. to a leg injury early in the first quarter. Cooper, who entered the game with 58 catches for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns, did not return.
Enter Charlie Becker.
The 6-foot-4 sophomore from Nashville, Tennessee, finished with six receptions for 126 yards, including a 51-yard catch and the 33-yarder that helped Indiana ice the game. His clutch third-down grab in the final minutes will be remembered as one of the biggest plays in program history.
Remember IU's gritty, last-second win at Penn State in early November? Becker snagged seven catches for 118 yards in that one, filling in for the then-injured Elijah Sarratt.
By The Numbers
Indiana outgained Ohio State 340-322 in total yards, with the Hoosiers' ground game proving just effective enough. Kaelon Black carried 16 times for 69 yards, including a long run of 37 yards. Roman Hemby added 52 yards on 13 carries.
Mendoza finished 15 of 23 for 222 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It wasn't his flashiest performance, but it was enough to earn him Big Ten Championship Game MVP honors.
Jeremiah Smith, the Buckeyes' star sophomore receiver, hauled in eight catches for 144 yards but was kept out of the end zone. Carnell Tate hauled in Ohio State's lone offensive touchdown from Sayin.
Team Stats | Indiana | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
Total Yards | 340 | 322 |
Passing Yards | 222 | 264 |
Rushing Yards | 118 | 58 |
3rd Down | 6/13 | 4/12 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of Possession | 29:47 | 30:13 |
What It Means for the Hoosiers
Indiana is the outright Big Ten champion for the first time since 1945, when Harry Truman was in the White House and World War II had just ended. The Hoosiers hadn't beaten Ohio State since Ronald Reagan was president.
The win likely secures Indiana the No. 1 overall seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff, which would give the Hoosiers a first-round bye. The official bracket will be revealed at noon ET on Sunday, Dec. 7.
For a program that went 3-24 in Big Ten play from 2021-23, the turnaround under Cignetti has been nothing short of remarkable. The Hoosiers are now 24-2 in his two seasons at the helm.
What's Next: The College Football Playoffs
Indiana is the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff, the highest seed in program history. The Hoosiers earned a first-round bye and will play in the quarterfinals in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026.
Indiana will face the winner of No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama, who play on Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET.
If Indiana advances, they'd play in the Peach Bowl semifinal in Atlanta on Jan. 9, with possible opponents being No. 4 Texas Tech, No. 5 Oregon, or No. 12 James Madison — where Cignetti last coached before taking over at IU.
The National Championship is set for Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Cignetti isn't letting his team get comfortable.
"I've got three weeks to get this team humble and hungry for the playoffs," he said. "It only counts if you finish."
For now, the Hoosiers can celebrate. Eighty years is a long time to wait.
Indiana is back.
For more Hoosier sports coverage, check out Get IN Sports for the latest on Indiana teams, athletes, and game day breakdowns.
Missed our preview? Read Indiana Makes History: The Hoosiers' Perfect Regular Season and Path to the Big Ten Championship Game.