Ohio State defeated Indiana 19-15 on Oct. 17, 2026, ending the Hoosiers’ 22-game winning streak and handing the defending national champions their first loss since December 2024. The No. 4 Buckeyes won at Memorial Stadium despite losing quarterback Julian Sayin to an injury late in the game. It was Indiana’s first home defeat in 19 games.
Ohio State scored the opening points with a field goal after Sayin moved the Buckeyes into Indiana territory. Indiana answered with a touchdown after intercepting Sayin deep in Ohio State territory. Two plays later, running back Turbo Richard scored on a seven-yard run to put the Hoosiers ahead 7-3.
The Buckeyes took the lead before halftime. On a late drive, Ohio State faced fourth down near the goal line, and Sayin passed to Bo Jackson in the flat for a touchdown. The score made it 10-7. Indiana had another chance to add points before the break, but kicker Nico Radicic’s 32-yard attempt hit the upright. Indiana went into halftime trailing at home for the first time under coach Curt Cignetti, according to the supplied report.
Ohio State opened the third quarter with another field goal, extending its lead to 13-7. The teams then traded chances without scoring. Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover was sacked by Ohio State defender Jaylen McClain on fourth-and-4, ending a Hoosiers drive on downs. The Buckeyes did not convert the ensuing opportunity: Sayin’s deep pass intended for Jeremiah Smith was intercepted by defensive back Amare Ferrell, his second interception of the game.
Indiana later reached Ohio State territory, but Radicic’s 55-yard field-goal attempt fell short. The miss kept the Buckeyes ahead by six.
In the fourth quarter, Ohio State widened the margin. Facing fourth-and-1 at Indiana’s 38-yard line, Sayin threw a play-action pass to Smith, who caught it in the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown. Ohio State failed to convert its two-point attempt and led 19-7.
Indiana responded with a 19-yard touchdown reception by Nick Marsh. Hoover then connected with Richard on a two-point conversion, bringing the score to 19-15. The Hoosiers had closed within four points, but Ohio State still led.
The Buckeyes advanced into Indiana territory on their next possession, but defensive end Mario Landino sacked Sayin for an 18-yard loss, and Sayin left the game. Ohio State turned to freshman Luke Fahey. Indiana forced a punt, giving its offense a chance to take the lead with a little more than five minutes remaining. The Hoosiers punted after failing to capitalize.
Indiana’s defense then forced another Ohio State punt, returning the ball to the Hoosiers with just over three minutes to play. On fourth down, Hoover threw toward Marsh, but Marsh caught the pass out of bounds. The incompletion ended Indiana’s final attempt and secured the 19-15 result for Ohio State.
The supplied account said Sayin was on the sideline in a sling after leaving the game. It did not provide further details about his injury. The report also described Smith as a Heisman frontrunner; that characterization is attributed to the source, not an independently established result.
