Quick thoughts on IU football’s 19-15 loss to Ohio State at Memorial Stadium in front of 54,532 fans:
Julian Sayin interception sets up IU touchdown
The Hoosiers didn’t score a point in their first three offensive possessions.
But IU flipped the momentum early in the second quarter when Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin tried to force a pass to Jeremiah Smith. Jamari Sharpe tipped the pass and Amare Ferrell intercepted it, setting IU up in the red zone.
Two plays later, Turbo Richard’s seven-yard run gave the Hoosiers a 7-3 lead with 13:54 to play in the second quarter.
Sayin is PICKED ??
@IndianaFootball takes over in the red zone https://t.co/s97RmNJoS6
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 17, 2026
A costly close to the first half for IU as Ohio State reclaims the lead
Indiana was in position to extend its lead as it drove deep into Buckeye territory midway through the second quarter.
On a crucial third and six from the Ohio State 14-yard line, Josh Hoover missed a wide open Brock Schott in the end zone and instead threw an incomplete pass to Richard, forcing the Hoosiers to attempt a field goal on fourth and six. But Nico Radicic missed the 32-yard attempt, which kept IU’s lead at 7-3.
The Buckeyes took over at their own 20-yard line and drove the length of the field. Despite a valiant defensive stand by the defense, Sayin found Bo Jackson on fourth down for a two-yard touchdown strike to give the Buckeyes a 10-7 advantage just ahead of halftime.
Julian Sayin finds Bo Jackson and convert on their last effort before the half!
@OhioStateFB | @ATTBusiness https://t.co/YgIAgnnLfP
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 17, 2026
Turnovers and another missed field goal define Indiana’s third quarter
Indiana’s third quarter start was defined by turnovers. The first came on the first possession of the third quarter when Davion Chandler caught a 19-yard pass but was stripped by Jay Timmons. The Buckeyes recovered the fumble at the IU 45-yard line and their ensuing possession ended in a 29-yard field goal from Connor Hawkins, making it 13-7 Buckeyes.
On IU’s next possession, Curt Cignetti chose to go for it on fourth and four from the OSU 27-yard line rather than attempting a field goal. Hoover was sacked by Ohio State’s Jaylen McClain. TJ Alford recovered the loose ball at the Buckeye 38-yard line.
Fortunately for the Hoosiers, Ohio State wasn’t able to cash in on the turnover. Sayin was intercepted for the second time by Ferrell at the IU 43-yard line at the 6:21 mark of the third quarter.
Indiana, however, couldn’t capitalize on Sayin’s second pick. Hoover winced with pain in his shoulder throughout the next drive. Cignetti, lacking trust in IU’s ability to convert on a fourth and six from the 37, opted to try Radicic from 55-yards, which would have been a career-long. The kick came up short, giving the Buckeyes possession with 1:56 remaining in the third.
Jeremiah Smith stretches Ohio State lead to two scores
Heisman Trophy frontrunner Jeremiah Smith was neutralized for most of the first three quarters.
Early in the fourth, he came up with a game-changing play.
Sayin connected with Smith on a fourth and one from the IU 38-yard line for a touchdown. It was an impressive catch by Smith, who came down with the ball with two defenders nearby in the end zone. The Buckeyes went for two to try to make it 21-7, but the conversion failed and OSU settled for a 19-7 lead with 12:46 remaining.
JEREMIAH SMITH, WHO ELSE?!
@OhioStateFB https://t.co/DxEUtavcS0
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 17, 2026
Hoosiers respond with Hoover touchdown pass to Nick Marsh
Indiana needed a response after Smith’s highlight catch and got it on a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took just over two minutes.
Hoover connected with Marsh for a 19-yard touchdown pass and the Hoosiers converted on the two-point conversion to make it 19-15 with 10:30 remaining.
Josh Hoover connects with Nick Marsh for the response!
@IndianaFootball https://t.co/vfQlGdiM2l
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 17, 2026
Indiana’s final two drives comes up short
With Sayin knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter, Ohio State couldn’t move the ball offensively with backup Luke Fahey. As a result, Indiana had two drives with a chance to take the lead and couldn’t score on either.
On its final play of the second drive, Hoover had Marsh open for a touchdown pass on fourth and four from the Ohio State 27-yard line. Marsh, however, caught the ball and didn’t have his foot inbounds, making it an incomplete pass and sealing the 19-15 win for the Buckeyes.
Offensive standouts
Becker had another excellent day for the Hoosiers, finishing with nine catches for 165 yards. Marsh had three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Hoover was just 20-for-40 passing for 296 yards and a fumble lost.
Defensive standouts
Ferrell had two interceptions and Rolijah Hardy and Tyrique Tucker led the way for IU with eight tackles each. Tobi Osunsanmi had two sacks for the Hoosiers.
What’s next for the Hoosiers
Indiana is back on the road for the third time in four weeks. The Hoosiers travel to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan next week at 12 p.m. ET on FOX.
