Lead: On Dec. 7, 2025 in Indianapolis, No. 2 Indiana defeated No. 1 Ohio State 13-10 to capture its first Big Ten championship since 1967. Fernando Mendoza’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt midway through the third quarter provided the decisive margin, and Indiana’s defense preserved the lead down the stretch. The victory improved the Hoosiers to 13-0, snapped a 30-game losing streak to the Buckeyes and halted Ohio State’s 16-game winning streak. Indiana is widely expected to secure the top seed in the College Football Playoff pending the selection committee’s final decision.
Key takeaways
- Final score: Indiana 13, Ohio State 10; game played Dec. 7, 2025, in Indianapolis.
- Indiana improved to 13-0, marking the best single-season record in program history.
- Indiana likely clinched the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and is poised for its first AP No. 1 ranking, though official confirmation is pending.
- Hoosiers won their first Big Ten title since 1967 and snapped a 30-game losing streak to Ohio State that dated to 1988.
- Ohio State fell to 12-1 and saw its 16-game winning streak ended; its CFP position is expected to be No. 2 but is not yet official.
- Key plays: Mendoza’s 17-yard TD to Elijah Sarratt gave Indiana the lead; Mendoza later connected with Charlie Becker on a 33-yard third-down pass that ran the clock to the two-minute warning.
- Quarterback lines: Fernando Mendoza was 15-of-23 for 222 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT; Julian Sayin was 21-of-29 for 258 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
- Ohio State’s late opportunities included a fourth-and-1 on the Indiana 5 overturned on review and a missed 29-yard field goal by Jayden Fielding with 2:48 remaining.
Background
The outcome carried heavy historical context. Indiana had not won a Big Ten championship since 1967 and entered the game seeking to complete an undefeated regular season, a feat that would represent the best record in the program’s history at 13-0. Ohio State, ranked No. 1 and sporting a 16-game winning streak, arrived as a national title favorite and the defending champion hoping to secure back-to-back championships.
The matchup also spotlighted two of the season’s most prominent quarterbacks, Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin, both of whom were in Heisman Trophy conversations. The Buckeyes’ depth, recent national success and recruiting advantage made them heavy favorites historically; Indiana’s rise this season undercut those expectations and set up a rivalry game with high stakes for College Football Playoff seeding.
Main event
The game opened with an early scare when Mendoza was injured on Indiana’s first offensive play; he missed one snap but returned and remained Indiana’s primary playmaker. Indiana struck first when an early Ohio State interception set up a field goal, but Ohio State answered late in the first quarter with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate to take a 7-3 lead.
Both teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter, leaving Ohio State ahead 10-6 at halftime. Indiana regained control on its first possession of the third quarter when Mendoza hit Elijah Sarratt for a 17-yard touchdown near the sideline. That score, followed by sustained defensive stands, proved to be the game-winner.
Ohio State had two critical opportunities to overturn the result. Late in the third quarter the Buckeyes faced fourth-and-1 at the Indiana 5; the on-field call initially favored Ohio State, but replay review determined Julian Sayin came up short. With 2:48 remaining, Jayden Fielding’s 29-yard field goal attempt to tie the game sailed wide left, and Indiana closed out the final minutes with a 33-yard completion from Mendoza to Charlie Becker to wind the clock down to the two-minute timeout.
Analysis & implications
Strategically, Indiana relied on a complementary model: conservative offensive management complemented by a defense that limited explosive plays. Mendoza’s numbers (15-of-23, 222 yards) reflect efficient decision-making rather than high-volume heroics; his touchdown to Sarratt and the late third-down conversion to Becker demonstrated timely execution. Ohio State moved the ball more frequently through the air—Sayin finished with 258 yards—but failed to convert high-leverage opportunities in the red zone and on fourth down.
The victory elevates Indiana’s program profile nationally and reshapes the CFP picture. If the selection committee seeding follows current expectations, Indiana would receive the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the playoff, while Ohio State would likely draw the No. 2 seed. That pairing would set up a rematch only in a hypothetical title-game scenario; the immediate effect is a rare power-shift narrative within the Big Ten.
Economically and for recruiting, a conference title and an undefeated season provide Indiana with both immediate windfalls—bowl and playoff revenue, increased ticketing and viewership—and longer-term recruiting leverage. For Ohio State, the loss ends a dominant stretch but preserves a strong résumé at 12-1; the program’s national standing remains high, though the pathway to repeating as champion just became more constrained.
Comparison & data
| Team | Pre-game rank | Final record | Key streak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | No. 2 | 13-0 | Ended 58-year title drought (last 1967) |
| Ohio State | No. 1 | 12-1 | 16-game winning streak ended |
The table places the result in immediate statistical context: Indiana completed an unbeaten season and a rare conference breakthrough, while Ohio State’s single loss interrupts a dominant run. The two quarterbacks posted similar box-score lines (Mendoza 15/23, 222 yds; Sayin 21/29, 258 yds), but situational conversion rates and special-teams execution (a missed 29-yard field goal) were decisive margins.
Reactions & quotes
Postgame responses highlighted both teams’ perspectives: Indiana celebrated a historic achievement and defensive resilience, while Ohio State acknowledged missed opportunities in high-leverage situations. Media and analysts noted the strategic tilt toward defense in a low-scoring championship environment.
“Final — Indiana 13, Ohio State 10.”
Official box score
“A historic Big Ten title for Indiana, and a season-defining win.”
Postgame coverage (media summary)
“Replay review was decisive on that fourth-and-1 call; it swung momentum late.”
Game analysts (postgame summary)
Unconfirmed
- College Football Playoff final seeding for Indiana and Ohio State is expected but not yet official until the committee’s announcement.
- Associated Press No. 1 ranking for Indiana is anticipated by many outlets but remains to be published by the AP poll panel.
- Details about the severity and long-term impact of Mendoza’s early-game injury were not disclosed in full; medical status beyond returning in the game remains unreported.
Bottom line
Indiana’s 13-10 victory over Ohio State on Dec. 7, 2025, is both a landmark for the Hoosiers and a notable disruption in college football’s power balance. The win delivers Indiana its first Big Ten title since 1967, completes a 13-0 regular season, and places the program at the center of the College Football Playoff conversation.
For Ohio State, the loss ends a 16-game winning streak and leaves the Buckeyes with a strong but imperfect 12-1 record; the program’s national standing remains substantial, but the path to a repeat title now carries added difficulty. In the coming days the CFP committee and AP poll will formalize postseason placements and rankings, which will define matchups and narratives for the remainder of the season.