Instant recap: Indiana 13, Ohio State 10

Fernando Mendoza attempts a pass.

Quick thoughts on IU football’s 13-10 win against Ohio State in front of 68,214 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium:

Three key plays in IU’s win

Mendoza’s interception leads to an Ohio State touchdown

In a first half that was a defensive struggle between two elite defenses, Ohio State scored the only touchdown of the opening 30 minutes.

Fernando Mendoza was picked off by Davison Igbinosun deep inside Hoosier territory, which put the Buckeyes in business at the 1:41 mark of the first quarter.

Quarterback Julian Sayin connected with Carnell Tate for a 9-yard touchdown pass less than a minute later, giving the Buckeyes a 7-3 lead.

Indiana takes the lead on Mendoza’s touchdown pass to Sarratt

On IU’s first possession of the second half – following a stop of Ohio State to open the third quarter – Mendoza found his favorite target in the endzone.

After a 51-yard completion to Charlie Becker set the Hoosiers up with tremendous field position, Mendoza connected with Elijah Sarratt four plays later for a touchdown.

The 17-yard connection gave IU the lead at 13-10 at the 8:07 mark of the third quarter. It was Mendoza’s 33rd passing touchdown of the season.

Third down conversion helps seal IU’s Big Ten championship

Ohio State desperately needed a stop to get one more shot after Jayden Fielding’s missed field goal on its prior possession.

Indiana, however, had different plans.

On third down and five with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter, Mendoza found Becker for a 33-yard reception to move the chains. The Buckeyes only had one timeout remaining, so the first down pickup all but wrapped up the Big Ten title, IU’s first since 1967.

Offensive standouts

Mendoza completed 15 of 23 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown.

On the ground, Kaelon Black carried 16 times for 69 yards and Roman Hemby had 13 carries for 52 yards.

Becker had six catches for 126 yards while Sarratt added three catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive standouts

Rolijah Hardy led IU with 10 tackles, including a sack. D’Angelo Ponds had nine tackles while Isaiah Jones had seven tackles, including two sacks.

Louis Moore had a first-quarter interception for IU.

IU’s defense held the Buckeyes to just 58 rushing yards.

What’s next for the Hoosiers

Indiana clinched the top seed and will be back in action on January 1 in the College Football Playoff. As the Big Ten champion, the Hoosiers will play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The CFP playoff bracket will be announced on Sunday.

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