Image courtesy: Joseph Maiorana, Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Indiana University’s (IU) football team entered Ohio Stadium with hopes of solidifying their College Football Playoff (CFP) credentials, but a commanding performance by No. 2 Ohio State delivered a reality check. The Hoosiers fell 38-15 in a game that showcased Ohio State’s dominance and exposed critical weaknesses in IU’s game plan.
Indiana’s Strong Start Quickly Fizzles
IU began the game with confidence, forcing a quick Ohio State three-and-out and executing an impressive 11-play, 70-yard drive to take an early 7-0 lead. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke found time to exploit the middle of the field, converting critical third downs, and running back Ty Son Lawton capped the drive with his 10th rushing touchdown of the season.
However, that initial burst of momentum proved fleeting. Ohio State responded with a dominant second quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points and seizing control of the game.
Second Quarter Collapse
Indiana’s troubles began when punter James Evans fumbled a snap late in the first half, giving Ohio State the ball on the Hoosiers’ 7-yard line. Running back TreVeyon Henderson capitalized, scoring a touchdown to give the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. The Hoosiers struggled to handle Ohio State’s relentless pressure, as the Buckeyes sacked Rourke five times and disrupted Indiana’s offensive rhythm.
Linebacker Cody Simon delivered a crushing blindside hit on Rourke, forcing a fumble and setting up another Ohio State scoring opportunity. Quarterback Kyle Howard, meanwhile, orchestrated a flawless attack, completing his first 14 passes, including a pinpoint 11-yard touchdown to Emeka Egbuka.
Caleb Downs’ Game-Changing Play
Ohio State’s prized transfer Caleb Downs, a former Alabama safety, made his mark in the third quarter with a spectacular punt return touchdown, the Buckeyes’ first in a decade. Downs dodged multiple defenders, including a highlight-reel spin move, to extend Ohio State’s lead to 21-7. The play underscored Ohio State’s superior talent and crushed any hopes Indiana had of mounting a comeback.
Downs’ touchdown came at a critical moment, as Indiana desperately needed a spark coming out of halftime. Instead, the Hoosiers were held to just two trips across midfield in the second half, one of which ended in a punt despite starting in Buckeye territory.
IU’s Struggles on Both Sides of the Ball
Indiana’s defense, which entered the game ranked among the nation’s best at limiting explosive plays, couldn’t hold up against Ohio State’s dynamic offense. Howard repeatedly exploited mismatches in coverage, including a pivotal sequence in the first quarter when Egbuka beat defensive end Lanell Carr in one-on-one coverage for a touchdown.
Offensively, Indiana’s woes were just as glaring. The Hoosiers finished with fewer than 200 total yards for only the fourth time in a decade, a testament to Ohio State’s suffocating defense. The Hoosiers’ passing attack was rendered ineffective until garbage time, forcing them to rely on Lawton, who added a late touchdown to his tally.
Historical Struggles Continue
The loss marked Indiana’s 30th consecutive defeat to Ohio State, extending one of the nation’s longest active losing streaks against a single opponent. The Hoosiers haven’t won in Columbus since 1987, and Saturday’s performance did little to suggest they are closing the gap.
Despite their 10-1 record, IU’s soft schedule remains a point of contention in the CFP conversation. Head coach Curt Cignetti addressed those criticisms head-on before the game, dismissing the narrative with a pointed remark: “People can stick that narrative up their you-know-what.” Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the lopsided defeat in Columbus only fueled the skepticism surrounding their playoff legitimacy.
What’s Next for the Hoosiers?
With their Big Ten title hopes dashed, Indiana’s focus now shifts to their CFP standing. Currently ranked No. 5, the Hoosiers remain on the cusp of a top-four spot, but the loss to Ohio State complicates their path. They must await the committee’s verdict as they prepare for their final regular-season game and potential bowl assignments.
For Ohio State, the win solidified their playoff position and kept their hopes alive for a Big Ten Championship Game appearance. The Buckeyes proved once again why they are perennial contenders, showcasing depth, talent, and an ability to perform under pressure.
Final Thoughts
Indiana’s trip to Columbus was an opportunity to silence critics and stake a claim as a legitimate CFP contender. Instead, the Hoosiers were outclassed in every phase of the game, leaving them to grapple with lingering questions about their ceiling against elite competition. With the next CFP rankings looming, IU’s playoff fate hangs in the balance, their hopes dimmed but not extinguished.
