Ohio State beats Indiana 19-15: Marsh foot out of bounds ends upset bid
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Ohio State beat Indiana 19-15 on October 17, 2026.
- Nick Marsh stepped out of bounds on a late fourth-down catch.
- The loss ended Indiana's 22-game win streak.
Ohio State beat Indiana 19-15 on Saturday. The game took place in Bloomington, Indiana. One foot decided the final result.
Indiana had one last chance to win. Nick Marsh caught a pass in the end zone. His left foot landed out of bounds.
The play did not count. Ohio State took the ball back. The Buckeyes then ran out the clock.
The win ended Indiana's 22-game win streak. It was also Indiana's first home loss under coach Curt Cignetti. Ohio State moved to 6-1 on the season.
What happened
The game was a rematch of last season's Big Ten title game. Indiana entered as the defending Big Ten champion. Indiana also held the national title.
Ohio State entered ranked fifth in the polls. Indiana entered ranked fourth. The game was the 100th meeting of the two teams.
Ohio State leads the series 82-13-5. That mark counts one vacated win. Indiana had lost 30 straight games to Ohio State before December 6, 2025.
Ohio State scored first. Connor Hawkins kicked a 26-yard field goal. The Buckeyes led 3-0 after the first quarter.
Indiana took the lead in the second quarter. Ferrell picked off a tipped pass from Julian Sayin. The pick gave Indiana the ball at the Ohio State 7.
Two plays later, Turbo Richard ran 7 yards for a score. Indiana led 7-3. The crowd in Bloomington grew loud.
Ohio State answered before half-time. The Buckeyes drove 80 yards in 15 plays. Sayin found Bo Jackson for a 2-yard score.
Only seven seconds stayed on the clock. Ohio State led 10-7 at the break.
The third quarter brought big defensive plays. Jay Timmons forced a fumble from Davion Chandler. Earl Little recovered the ball at the Indiana 45.
Ohio State turned the takeaway into points. Hawkins kicked a 29-yard field goal. The Buckeyes led 13-7.
Jaylen McClain then strip-sacked Josh Hoover. TJ Alford recovered the loose ball. Ohio State could not score off that takeaway.
The stop ended a long clean run for Indiana. It was Indiana's first lost fumble in 1,437 plays. The Hoosiers had held the ball with care for a long time.
Indiana missed two field goals in the game. Nico Radicic missed a 32-yard kick. He also missed a 55-yard kick that fell short.
The fourth quarter opened with a bold call. Ohio State faced fourth down and one yard. Sayin threw deep to Jeremiah Smith.
Smith caught the 38-yard pass for a score. Ohio State led 19-7. The two-point try failed.
The catch was the 39th score of Smith's career. It tied the Big Ten record for touchdown catches. The old mark belonged to Braylon Edwards.
Indiana answered fast. Hoover found Marsh for a 19-yard score. Hoover then found Richard for two points.
The score stood at 19-15. Only 10:30 stayed on the clock.
Then came a blow for Ohio State. Sayin left the game with an arm injury. He later came back with a sling on his right arm.
Freshman Luke Fahey took over at quarterback. Ohio State had to hold a four-point lead.
Indiana got the ball back late. Hoover threw to Marsh in the end zone. Marsh caught the ball, but his left foot was out.
The play came on fourth down with 1:02 left. Ohio State took over on downs. The Buckeyes knelt down to end the game.
Why it matters
The win kept Ohio State in the title race. The Buckeyes stayed near the top of the Big Ten. A loss would have hurt their playoff hopes.
The game also showed the fine edge in football. One foot changed the whole result. Indiana was inches from a huge win.
Indiana's streak was the longest in the nation. The Hoosiers had not lost since December 20, 2024. That run ended on Saturday.
The loss was Indiana's first of the season. The path to the playoffs stays open. USA Today said the Hoosiers can still reach the playoff.
Still, the ranking will drop. USA Today projected Indiana to fall to No. 7. The new polls come out on Sunday.
Sayin's injury is the big worry for Ohio State. He is the starting quarterback. His right arm is his throwing arm.
Sayin threw for 235 yards in the game. He tossed two scores and two picks. Ohio State will watch his health this week.
Smith tied a league record on the day. He caught four passes for 68 yards. His score came at the key moment.
Hoover threw for 296 yards for Indiana. He tossed one score. Charlie Becker caught nine passes for 165 yards.
Big games shaped the day across college football. Washington beat Purdue 38-26 in another Big Ten game. Tulane stunned Memphis 31-17 in their own league clash.
Ohio State won the total yard fight in a strange way. Indiana gained 369 yards in the game. Ohio State gained only 313 yards.
Turnovers told the story. Each team lost the ball twice. Ohio State made the last stop when it mattered most.
The win also ended a dry run for Ohio State. The Buckeyes had lost three straight games to Top 10 teams. This win broke that run.
It was also the first win by this score in Ohio State history. No Buckeye team had won 19-15 before. The odd score fits an odd game.
What happens next
Ohio State now gets a week off. The Buckeyes next play USC on October 31. The game takes place at the LA Coliseum.
The kickoff time is not set yet. It will be announced on Monday. Ohio State will use the break to heal.
Sayin's health will lead the news this week. Fans will wait for word on his arm. Fahey may need to step in.
Indiana must bounce back fast. The Hoosiers still control their playoff fate. A strong finish can keep them in the field.
The new polls come out on Sunday. Indiana will learn its new spot then. Ohio State will learn its spot too.
One foot decided this game. The next games will test both teams again. The Big Ten race stays wide open.
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