No. 4 Ohio State loses Julian Sayin, but stops No. 5 Indiana’s 22-game winning streak after Nick Marsh barely out of bounds on go-ahead TD
Indiana was on the verge of extending its winning streak to 23 games.
Nick Marsh got open on a fourth down with just over a minute left, but couldn’t stay in bounds for what would have been the go-ahead touchdown.
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Instead, No. 4 Ohio State held on for a 19-15 victory.
Just look at how close Marsh was to giving Hoosiers #5 the lead on this pass from Josh Hoover. He understood immediately that perhaps he had not lowered his left foot.
This victory could, however, have come at a significant cost. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin left the game in the second half after suffering an apparent injury to his right arm on a sack. Sayin ran towards the locker room holding his right arm delicately and came back to the side with his arm in a sling.
He was replaced for the remainder of the game by freshman Luke Fahey.
Sayin didn’t have his best game before his injury. He completed just 15 of 29 passes for 235 yards and threw two touchdowns to go along with two interceptions. But that second touchdown ended up being the winning score, when he threw a long pass to Jeremiah Smith in the end zone.
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The TD was Smith’s first in three games against the Hoosiers. The Heisman favorite finished with four catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
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An extended Sayin absence could be a big problem for an Ohio State team that travels to No. 19 USC after its Week 8 bye, then has Oregon, Northwestern and Nebraska before playing Michigan to finish the season. As expected, Fahey was a little overwhelmed after replacing Sayin. He failed in either of his two pass attempts and took a sack.
After the game, Ohio State coach Ryan Day announced that Sayin would “probably be out for several weeks.”
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A lot happened against Indiana on Saturday
Not only was Marsh inches away from a game-winning score after his two long TD catches propelled Indiana’s comeback in Week 6 against Nebraska, but the Hoosiers lost fumbles on consecutive possessions to start the second half.
Indiana had not lost a fumble in 1,437 offensive plays. It was a streak dating back to the first game of this 22-game winning streak that began in the first week of the 2025 season.
Kicker Nico Radicic missed a short field goal, then failed on a 55-yard attempt. Are his two misses a reason why Indiana went for two after his second TD? After cutting Ohio State’s lead to 19-13, Indiana did not kick the PAT.
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It was an inherently risky decision. Failing to convert the 2-point attempt would have put the Buckeyes up nine – and two scores – with a field goal.
Hoover also appeared to suffer a right shoulder injury in the second half. He landed on his shoulder while rushing and left the game for one play in obvious pain. He quickly returned to the field, but he was visibly grimacing after a few throws.
The TCU transfer finished the game 20-of-40 passing for 296 yards. Much of that yardage went to Charlie Becker, who had nine catches for 165 yards.
This win shouldn’t derail Indiana’s playoff hopes, especially since USC is the only ranked opponent remaining on the Hoosiers’ schedule. Indiana plays at Michigan in Week 8, then at home against Minnesota on Halloween before its bye week for early November.
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The Hoosiers will be kicking themselves after this finish. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes will be concerned about the status of starting quarterback Julian Sayin moving forward.
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Josh Hoover hit Nick Marsh on a deep ball in the end zone on fourth down, but HIS FOOT WAS OUT OF BOUNDS!
Ohio State is going to win this!
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We’re 2 minutes in and Indiana has just been saved with an unnecessary and questionable roughness call.
The Hoosiers experience another series of losses at OSU 33.
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OSU backup quarterback Luke Fahey didn’t look at all comfortable and the Buckeyes fell back on their possession.
There are now 3 minutes left and Indiana has the ball to itself 30 after the punt.
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The starting quarterback won’t return in this one. He just came back from the locker room with his throwing arm in a sling.
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The Hoosiers couldn’t do anything with it on the next possession, so the Buckeyes got it back at the 39 and 4:21 left in the game.
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Indiana’s defense held strong against the backup QB and the Hoosiers would get the ball back with a chance to take the lead with 5:23 left.
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The Hoosiers had the Buckeyes well behind the sticks after the strip-sack, but a silly late play gave OSU a first down.
Freshman Luke Fahey replaces Julian Sayin.
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The Buckeyes were having success down the field, but opted for a pass play around midfield and Julian Sayin was shaken by Indiana’s Mario Landino. The ball came loose, but OSU lineman Mario Landino fell on it.
Sayin was injured during the game and returned to the sidelines.
Nick Bromberg
Was it because Nico Radicic missed two baskets?
If Indiana doesn’t get the conversion, an Ohio State field goal makes it a two-score game. Hitting the PAT means an Ohio State field goal is still just a one-possession play.
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The Hoosiers are back in this affair after Josh Hoover capped a quick drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Nick Marsh. They took 2 and got it.
We have a football game in Bloomington!
OSU 19, Indiana 15 | 10:30 left
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The Hoosiers have gotten past midfield and are experiencing another series of downs as they try to get back into the game.
Will they cut into the Buckeyes’ lead here?
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The Buckeyes were facing a fourth and one from the Indiana 38 and Julian Sayin just threw a jump ball into the end zone and Jeremiah Smith came down with the TD grab!
They went for 2 but didn’t get it. What a huge moment in this one.
OSU 19, Indiana 7 | 12:46 left
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Nico Radicic missed his second kick of the game, this time a 55-yarder that fell well short of the crossbar.
It’s still 13-7 with 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. OSU takes over at 37.
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Josh Hoover grimaces but appears to be okay. He came back and threw a Tyler Morris dart on fourth-and-4 to move the Hoosiers to the brink of scoring.
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The quarterback came out for a play after falling awkwardly on his throwing shoulder while rushing. He’s back on the field now.
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The Hoosiers would get it right back after a wild overthrow by OSU’s Julian Sayin went straight into the waiting arms of Indiana’s Amare Ferrell for his second INT of the game.
Continue the game in Bloomington.
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Indiana took a chance on fourth-and-4 in OSU territory, but they botched a blitz and Josh Hoover was drilled in the backfield by Jaylen McClain. OSU’s Tarvos Alford fell on the ball.
The Buckeyes regained the upper hand on their 27.
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The Hoosiers managed to keep the Buckeyes out of the end zone after a quick turnover, but OSU’s Connor Hawkins made the field goal to extend their lead.
OSU 13, Indiana 7
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