COLUMBUS, Ohio — Indiana football’s coach Curt Cignetti expressed frustration over the criticism regarding his team’s position in the College Football Playoff rankings prior to their matchup against Ohio State. In a candid pre-game interview, Cignetti dismissively responded to the narrative surrounding Indiana’s less challenging schedule, saying, “People can stick that narrative up their you know what.”
Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the reality did not align with his sentiments as they faced a disappointing defeat, losing 38-15 to the second-ranked Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Indiana managed to score early on but struggled significantly afterward, allowing Ohio State to score 31 unanswered points. The Hoosiers finished the game with a meager 151 total yards, marking the lowest offensive performance during Cignetti’s brief tenure and only the fifth instance in ten years they failed to break the 200-yard mark.
Starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke was put under heavy pressure, resulting in five sacks and limiting his passing to less than 100 yards—a troubling feat for the first time since 2021—and he recorded his lowest completion percentage in a game at 44%. The loss extended Indiana’s painful losing streak to 30 consecutive games against Ohio State and marked their last win in Columbus back in 1987, reinforcing one of the longest rivalries in college football.
Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, a prized transfer from Alabama and a top-rated player in the transfer portal, made a significant impact by scoring the Buckeyes’ first punt return touchdown in a decade, effectively disrupting any momentum the Hoosiers were trying to build.
As the game progressed, Ohio State began to capitalize on Indiana’s mistakes, including a fumbled snap from the Hoosiers’ punter, which led directly to a touchdown. Quarterback Kyle McCord showcased precision in his performance, completing 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns, further solidifying Ohio State’s dominance during the contest.
Although Indiana started the game strong with a quick touchdown drive, their inability to maintain any sort of offensive or defensive consistency ultimately sealed their fate. They will need to regroup and reassess their strategy moving forward as they look to break free from the woes of this longstanding rivalry.
In light of this defeat, Indiana still has the opportunity to learn and grow from these tough experiences. While the road ahead may appear daunting, the season isn’t over, and the team can use this setback as motivation to improve and propel them toward future success.
Overall, this game serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in competitive college football and highlights the importance of perseverance in the quest for excellence.