Indiana's 22-Game Streak Ends Against Ohio State

Indiana fell 19-15 to Ohio State, ending its 22-game winning streak and giving the defending national champion its first defeat since the final game of the 2024 season. It also marked coach Curt Cignetti’s first home loss. Ohio State won the rematch of the Big Ten title game from the previous December, played in Bloomington, where Indiana hosted what the report called perhaps the biggest event in the city’s history.

Indiana got one last chance to extend the streak. With 1:02 remaining, quarterback Josh Hoover threw to receiver Nick Marsh on fourth-and-4 from Ohio State’s 27-yard line. Marsh caught the ball while crossing the goal line, but his left foot landed out of bounds before his right foot came down in bounds. Indiana’s bid to reach 23 consecutive wins ended there.

The final possession

Hoover said Marsh ran a good route, but he didn’t have time to wait and see where Marsh was going. “I just tried to put it up in the air, put to a spot,” Hoover said. “Shoot, it's a game of inches, right?” Marsh was a third-year receiver. According to the account of the play, a slightly more inside throw on the final pass could have led to a touchdown.

Cignetti cited missed passes, two straight turnovers to open the third quarter and a field goal that struck the crossbar. He said the offense’s execution was the main problem. “We had a lot of opportunities out there we didn't cash in on, especially in the second half,” Cignetti said.

Two plays after halftime, Indiana receiver Davion Chandler fumbled after picking up 19 yards. Ohio State converted the turnover into a field goal. On the next Indiana drive, a backside blitz forced Hoover to fumble on fourth-and-4 from the 27-yard line. Indiana had open receivers, but Hoover didn’t have time to throw.

What the loss changes

The loss snapped a streak tied for the seventh-longest in Big Ten history. Indiana hadn’t lost at home since 2023. Ohio State won the College Football Playoff in 2024, while Indiana came into the game as the defending national champion.

Cignetti said he’d let the team sit with the defeat for 24 hours before turning its attention to Michigan. His postgame response covered both the missed chances and the goals still ahead. “Hmm. I think we kind of learned our lessons before this game, and we just weren't good enough today to seize it,” he said. He later said the team could “accomplish anything we want. All of our goals, except going undefeated.”

Players look ahead

Indiana receiver Charlie Becker caught nine passes for 165 yards. “It sucks. But the sun's going to rise tomorrow. We're going to get better,” Becker said.

Indiana safety Amare Ferrell recorded two interceptions. He said, “One loss doesn't define the whole season.” The defeat ended Indiana’s winning streak, but Cignetti said the team would turn its focus to Michigan after the players had time to absorb the result.