Indiana Shocks No. 1 Ohio State 13-10 for First Big Ten Title Since 1967
In a nail-biting defensive battle that came down to the final minutes, No. 2 Indiana pulled off a stunning upset over top-ranked Ohio State in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday night. The Hoosiers, now 13-0, clinched their first outright conference title since 1967 (and first since 1945 per some records) with a gritty 13-10 victory, securing the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff.
Key Moments from the Low-Scoring Thriller
- First Half Sloppiness: Both teams struggled offensively in a scoreless first quarter, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza throwing a costly interception deep in Buckeye territory late in the period. The Hoosiers finally broke through with a 32-yard field goal from Alex Groves midway through the second quarter, but Ohio State answered with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by running back Quinshon Judkins to take a 7-3 lead into halftime.
- Second-Half Momentum Shift: Indiana seized control early in the third, marching 75 yards in 12 plays capped by a 4-yard touchdown run from Justice Ellison, giving the Hoosiers a 10-7 edge. The Buckeyes tied it at 10-10 on a 28-yard field goal by Jayden Fielding early in the fourth, setting up the dramatic finish.
- The Decisive Miss: With 2:48 remaining and the ball at Indiana’s 10-yard line after a Hoosier punt, Ohio State opted for the chip shot. But Fielding’s 27-yard (or 29-yard per some accounts) attempt sailed wide left, handing Indiana excellent field position. The Hoosiers’ defense, led by standout linebacker Kyler Burton with 12 tackles, stonewalled the final Buckeye drive, sealing the win with Groves’ insurance 41-yard field goal as time expired.
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke was the hero for Indiana, completing 22 of 30 passes for 212 yards and no turnovers, while the run game added 112 yards on the ground. Ohio State’s Will Howard threw for 185 yards but was sacked four times, and the Buckeyes’ vaunted defense held Indiana to just 3-of-12 on third downs—yet it wasn’t enough.
Postgame Reactions
- Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti: “This is what dreams are made of. Our guys believed from Day 1—we’re not just here to compete; we’re here to win championships.” The victory catapults the Hoosiers into the CFP as the top seed, facing the winner of the ACC Championship in the semifinals.
- Ohio State Coach Ryan Day: Visibly shaken, Day lamented the field goal miss: “We had our shot, and we didn’t execute. Credit to Indiana—they earned it. This one’s going to sting.” The loss drops the Buckeyes to the No. 5 seed, setting up a rematch potential in the playoffs.
- Fan and Social Buzz: Social media exploded with memes of the missed kick, dubbed “Fielding’s Fumble” by Buckeye haters. One viral post quipped: “Ohio State: 12-1, but 0-for-1 on not breaking Hoosier fans’ hearts.” Indiana’s upset has reignited “Hoosier Hysteria” not seen since their 2024 Rose Bowl run.
This marks Indiana’s first win over Ohio State since 1988, ending a 14-game skid against the Buckeyes. For full highlights, check out the official Big Ten YouTube channel. Playoff implications are massive—could we see an Indiana-Ohio State CFP rematch? Buckle up; the postseason just got wilder.