Indiana vs. Ohio State highlights: Buckeyes serve Hoosiers first loss with convincing win

The Big Ten showdown between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Ohio State Buckeyes kicked off Week 13 Saturday’s

slate with a thrilling action that had fans on the edge of their seats.

The first half between the Big Ten frontrunners was exciting and lived up to the hype. The Hoosiers jumped out to an

early lead when quarterback Kurtis Rouke handed the ball off to Ty Son Lawton, who scored the game’s first

touchdown. However, this lead was short-lived, as the Buckeyes’ defense quickly took control.

The half was marked by a fumble by Indiana, an interception thrown by Ohio State, and a misplayed snap by

Indiana’s punter, James Evans. As a result, the Buckeyes gained crucial field position, and ultimately, Ohio State

took its first lead heading into halftime.

The Buckeyes, led by quarterback Will Howard, began the second half with strong momentum, quickly gaining an

advantage when Caleb Downs returned a punt for an impressive 79-yard touchdown. This marked Ohio State’s first

punt return for a touchdown since 2014 (also against Indiana), setting a positive tone for the Buckeyes as they took

control of the game. Shortly afterward, the Buckeyes continue to add to the scoreboard, making it increasingly

difficult for Indiana to mount a comeback. Despite the Hoosiers’ attempts to fight back, it wasn’t enough to overcome

the powerhouse that is Ohio State.

 

Ohio State’s 38-15 victory over Indiana handed the Hoosiers their first loss of the season and will significantly affect

the College Football Playoff rankings as the season approaches its final weeks.

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The only result that would’ve immediately tossed No. 5 Indiana out of the College Football Playoff was a total blowout against No. 2 Ohio State. The type of loss that wouldn’t have done much to move the needle in either direction was a close one, maybe by a possession, in one of college football’s toughest road environments.

But this one falls in the middle: The Hoosiers started strong, taking a 7-0 lead into the second quarter, but were buried by the Buckeyes’ defense, special teams and offensive skill talent in a 38-15 final that properly represents the gap between these two teams.

Now we wait until Tuesday for the first glimpse of how the playoff selection committee will treat one-loss Indiana.

The committee can hand the Hoosiers a devastating drop by focusing on a weak strength of schedule that includes only one win against an opponent with a winning record. Facing a legitimate contender for the first time, the Hoosiers were unable to make a statement the committee couldn’t ignore.

Indiana gave up a season-worst 5.7 yards per play and cratered in the second half, allowing OSU to score on three of four possessions. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs returned a punt 79 yards for a score early in the third quarter to push the lead to 21-7, a monumental special teams failure that doomed the Hoosiers. An offense that came into Saturday ranked ninth nationally in yards per play and second in scoring managed just 151 yards – 75 of which came on a touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter with the score 31-7.