INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered the defining moments of a historic night, guiding the Hoosiers to a gritty 13–10 win over top-ranked Ohio State and ending decades of frustration in the Big Ten title chase. After two straight seasons of climbing the national ladder, Indiana finally broke through with poise, precision, and an unshakable belief that carried them to their first conference championship since the late 1960s. Mendoza’s perfectly placed 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt early in the third quarter provided the decisive edge, and from that point forward, Indiana’s defense locked down one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. The win not only snapped a 30-game losing streak to the Buckeyes but also stretched Indiana’s undefeated season to 13–0, halted Ohio State’s 16-game win streak, and pushed the Hoosiers to the brink of securing the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. With Mendoza emerging as a genuine contender for the Heisman Trophy and receivers like Charlie Becker making clutch plays—highlighted by a late 33-yard grab that drained precious time off the clock—Indiana’s offense showed a level of maturity and playmaking that once seemed impossible for the program.
Ohio State, now 12–1, fought to stay within reach but faltered at the most crucial moments. A fourth-and-1 attempt deep in Indiana territory was overturned on review in the third quarter, wiping away a potential go-ahead drive. Late in the fourth, a 29-yard field goal that would have tied the game sailed wide left, leaving the Buckeyes stunned and searching for answers as their pursuit of consecutive national titles now depends on entering the playoff field as a likely No. 2 seed. Both quarterbacks battled through injuries, with Mendoza briefly leaving the game on the opening drive and Sayin needing his ankle retaped, yet both continued to trade pivotal throws all night. Still, Mendoza consistently delivered under pressure, keeping Indiana’s offense moving while the Hoosiers’ defense held Ohio State to a single touchdown. As fans poured into the stands in celebration, Indiana’s players embraced the realization that they had shattered old narratives and cemented themselves as a legitimate national power. The College Football Playoff matchups will be announced Sunday, but for the Hoosiers, the celebration has already begun, marking a night that will be remembered as one of the greatest in school history.
