Buckeyes' Big Ten Title Run Ends in Championship Loss to Indiana

The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes entered Saturday's Big Ten Championship Game undefeated, but left Indianapolis empty-handed after a defensive struggle that saw them manage only one touchdown despite reaching the red zone four times. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza threw a crucial 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt to secure the Hoosiers' first Big Ten title since 1967 and their first victory over Ohio State in 38 years. The turning point came with less than three minutes remaining when Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding missed a potential game-tying 27-yard field goal attempt wide left. That miss allowed Indiana to run out the clock and claim the championship, likely securing the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff for the Hoosiers. The loss extended Ohio State's Big Ten championship drought to five years, a stark contrast to the program's historical dominance in the conference. The Buckeyes are now 5-2 all-time in Big Ten Championship Games and 5-3 in matchups between the nation's top two teams. A record crowd of 68,214 attended the game at Lucas Oil Stadium, the largest audience ever for a Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State's offense struggled throughout the contest, failing to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities in the red zone. The defensive battle showcased Indiana's ability to contain one of college football's top-ranked teams, marking a significant upset in a season where the Buckeyes had rolled through the regular season without a loss.