### Indiana Football's Historic Triumph: A New Era Begins The Indiana Hoosiers have made history by clinching their first Big Ten Championship title since 1967, defeating the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 13-10. This victory not only ends a 58-year title drought but also secures Indiana's position as the No. 1 seed in the upcoming College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers, under head coach Curt Cignetti, have transformed from the Football Bowl Subdivision's losingest program to a championship contender in just over two years. This remarkable turnaround is highlighted by their perfect 13-0 season, marking a significant milestone in the program's history [https://www.adn.com/sports/national-sports/2025/12/06/no-2-indiana-beats-no-1-ohio-st-13-10-to-end-big-ten-title-drought-lock-up-top-playoff-seed][https://apnews.com/article/indiana-ohio-state-football-big-ten-championship-score-53974c9f265721c0b2e8c6df470e10fa]. ### Breakdown of Indiana's Championship Victory 1. **Game Overview**: - Indiana's victory was secured through a pivotal 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Fernando Mendoza to Elijah Sarratt in the third quarter, which gave them a lead they maintained until the end [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ohio-state-indiana-live-updates-big-ten-championship-game-score-results-analysis/live]. 2. **Defensive Performance**: - The Hoosiers' defense was instrumental, shutting out Ohio State in the second half and stopping critical drives, including a missed field goal attempt that could have tied the game [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/4-takeaways-from-indianas-historic-big-ten-title-victory-over-ohio-state/4-takeaways-from-indianas-historic-big-ten-title-victory-over-ohio-state]. 3. **Historical Context**: - This win marks Indiana's first outright Big Ten title since 1945 and ends a 30-game losing streak against Ohio State, a significant psychological barrier for the program [https://www.espn.co.uk/college-football/story/_/id/47230584/indiana-takes-ohio-state-1st-big-ten-title-1967]. 4. **Future Implications**: - With this victory, Indiana is poised to enter the College Football Playoff as the top seed, setting the stage for a potential national championship run [https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/indianas-curt-cignetti-after-big-ten-title-top-seed-only-counts-you-finish]. ### Supporting Evidence of Indiana's Achievement - **Game Statistics**: - **Final Score**: Indiana 13, Ohio State 10 - **Key Players**: - Fernando Mendoza: 222 passing yards, 1 touchdown, named MVP [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/top_25_roundup_indiana_downs_top_ranked_ohio_state_for_big_ten_crown/s1_17047_43171317]. - Elijah Sarratt: 1 touchdown reception [https://www.flashscore.com/news/indiana-upsets-ohio-state-13-10-to-win-big-ten-championship-in-thrilling-defensive-battle/SIzIhcvR]. - **Defensive Highlights**: Indiana's defense made crucial stops, including a fourth-down stop that preserved their lead [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/indiana-shocks-ohio-state-historic-big-ten-championship/1f28f705eec710f89c501cd1]. ### Conclusion: A New Chapter for Indiana Football **Indiana's victory over Ohio State is not just a win; it symbolizes a transformative moment for the program.** 1. **Historic Achievement**: The Hoosiers have ended a long-standing title drought and established themselves as a formidable force in college football. 2. **Coaching Impact**: Curt Cignetti's leadership has been pivotal in this turnaround, emphasizing a culture of winning and high expectations [https://www.local10.com/sports/2025/12/07/no-2-indiana-caps-cignettis-incredible-turnaround-by-beating-no-1-ohio-st-for-big-ten-title]. 3. **Future Prospects**: With a perfect season and a top playoff seed, Indiana is now a serious contender for the national championship, setting the stage for an exciting postseason [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/indiana-football-undisputed-no-1-042419095.html]. This victory not only marks a significant milestone in Indiana's football history but also ignites hope and excitement for the future of the program.