Stephen Leonard
Writer
Curt Cignetti was famous for his Assembly Hall introduction 2 years ago, saying, “Purdue sucks, but so does Michigan and Ohio State.” That moment led to a chance to prove it in the Big Ten championship.
Defensively, Caden Curry was too much for Indiana up front at least early in the game. After knocking Indiana QB Fernado Medoza out of the game for a play, Curry followed it up with a sack on third down, giving the Hoosiers’ right tackle a welcome to the trenches. As quickly as the Hoosiers’ opening possession ended, Ohio State’s QB Julian Sayin was baited by DB Louis Moore into a pick at the Ohio State 35 and returned it 12 yards to the Ohio State 23. The Indiana second possession was set up with a short field. Like clockwork work Curry bats down a ball from the 8 yard line. The Hoosiers settled for 29 yard field goal (IU 3-0)
Sayin responded by picking Indiana apart with mid-range passes and multiple first downs. What ends up a theme of the night, it looks as though Ohio State is ready to overpower the Hoosiers but falls short. Completions to their electric WRs Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith give the illusion that Ohio State will answer. Just as quickly as momentum turns to the Buckeyes it’s taken away by Cignetti’s squad. Indiana’s impressively stout defense stuffs a Bo Jackson run on 2nd and 3. On 3rd and 5 at the Ohio State 46, Elijah Hardy answers Curry’s dominance with a sack for the Hoosiers. Ohio State is forced to punt the ball away.
Davison Igbinosun ends Indiana’s hopes recording an interception in back-to-back weeks. Buckeyes take over in excellent field position at the Indiana 25 yard line. So far, it’s been all picks for the Heisman contenders as they squared off against the best defenses in the land. Sayin changes the tone and capitalizes off of the Mendoza turnover. After floating in the pocket and then escaping to the right, Sayin keeps his eyes on the endzone, delivering to Carnell Tate, what ends up being the only touchdown of the night for the Buckeyes (OSU 7-3).
Going toe to toe with Sayin for the Heisman Trophy, it’s Mendoza’s turn to answer. After what may be a questionable pass interference, Indiana RB Kaelon Black follows it up with a run off tackle for 37 yards.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr ends another Indiana drive with defensive line pressure, sacking Mendoza. Mendosa started to look lost in the pocket, but to this point his protection has called in sick to the Big Ten Championship. Indiana set up for a field goal but missed widewide left adding to the illusion that Indiana was not meant to compete with blue bloods like Ohio State.
The hits just kept coming for Indiana with a 52 yard bomb from Sayin to Smith. Smith had his high school teammate and Indiana CB Ponds beat and what would’ve been a touchdown with just a little more air under the ball. Lack of red zone offense left the buckeyes settling for a field goal in what ultimately proved to be a vital missed opportunity (OSU 10-3). Still Ohio State looked to have upper hand early in the Big Ten Championship.
This time Mendoza takes the Hoosiers down the field, but Curry again stalls the drive with another sack. Indiana’s miss touchdown opportunity, ends with another field goal (OSU 10-6).
Ohio State had plenty of time left on the clock, with two minutes in the first half, but Hoosier DC Bryant Haynes shuts down the Buckeyes offense. They held Ohio State to 0 for 2 on third down situations in the first half.
Former Ohio State HC and Fox analyst Urban Meyer said at half, “In the red zone, yards are a premium.” Meyer’s words reflected his observations of the first half, but became prophetic for Ohio State’s second half results. Opening with the ball after half, Bo Jackson made his presence felt by waiting for a hole to open, he weaved his way for a 20 yard run, but anything gained was quickly erased as Indiana’s defensive line pressured Sayin with back to back sacks. The second of which questionably resulted in a loss of 14 yards with premature whistle while Sayin was still spinning to escape Stephen Daley. Eventually faceing a 3rd and forever they punted away.
Indiana’s had its time to shine starting with the first possession of the half. Two straight hard nosed runs by Roman Hemby made it 3rd and 2. Mendoza air mailed a 51 yarder over the middle to Charlie Becker. Hemby carried the ball 10 yards into the red zone at the 19. Remember, Urban Meyer said at half, “in the red zone, yards are a premium”. They got two yards to force a throw away on 2nd forcing a 3rd and 8. This time, Mendoza threw a beautiful back shoulder, fade pass to WR Elijah Sarratt for the score (13-10 Indiana). Indiana found a way to pay the premium, making Ohio State trail in the second half for the first time this season.
Sayin needed to respond in this Heisman clash and caught fire on drive two ending with a 4th and 1 at the Indiana 5. The Buckeyes rolled the dice with a QB sneak. Sayin cashed in, setting up a goal to go from the 3. Upon review, Sayin’s knee was down short. Remember, yards are a premium in the red zone, a second has missed opportunity.
With momentum squarely in the hands of the Hoosiers Mendoza and company, the Hoosiers take over at the four yardline getting a quick first down before ending the quarter.
Eventually, Indiana was forced to punt the ball back to Ohio State. Down 13 to 10, the Buckeyes controlled their own destiny. They produce with a methodical drive, taking seven minutes off clock and ending up back in the ref zone where yards are a premium. 3rd down and 1 yard to go, Ohio State elected to take both future first round WR draft picks off the field and load the line with tight ends. The Hoosiers defense didn’t fall for running play bait. Bo Jackson was blanketed in coverage out of the backfield and outlet pass to Bennett Christian, also blanketed in coverage, fell incomplete in the end zone. At least Ohio State had set up easy chip shot field goal to tie the game at 13. Kicker Jaden Fielding pushes it wide left with 2:47 left on the clock. For Ohio State, it seemed points in the red zone were also a premium. 
Ohio State needed to force a stop, they had all their timeouts and the two minute warning on their side. Mendoza just needed a few plays to earn the number one seed in the college football playoff, the Big Ten championship, and probably the Heisman Trophy.
On third and six, the Buckeyes had another chance but Mendoza approved determined. Mendoza had a Heisman moment connecting to none other than Charlie Becker for 33 yards of is 126 yards receiving on the night. Ohio State forced Indiana to punt one third down too late with just 18 ticks left on the clock.
After a last second prayer, the Indiana Hoosiers win the 2025 Big Ten Championship game for the first time ever. They get their first Big Ten championship since 1967 and become the number one seed in the college football playoff.
Ohio State will have to regroup and respond after a second straight year, losing 13 to 10 in the game preceding their college football playoffs. The ultimate and number one goal for every team is still in sight for the Buckeyes. A national title will cure all the pain suffered from losing the Big Ten crown.
Owen Tyler
Writer
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Cody Croy
Writer
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