Analysis
Sayin’s fourth-down strike helps Ohio State hold off Indiana
The Buckeyes converted both fourth-down attempts in a 19–15 win. Indiana’s last try ended at the Ohio State 27.
Julian Sayin found Jeremiah Smith for 38 yards and a touchdown on fourth down.
No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 5 Indiana 19–15 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, surviving two Sayin interceptions and a 165-yard receiving afternoon from Indiana’s Charlie Becker. Sayin’s throw to Smith made it 19–7 with 12:46 left. Josh Hoover answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Nick Marsh and a two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to four with 10:30 remaining.
Ohio State went two for two on fourth down and scored on all three of its red-zone trips. Indiana failed on both fourth-down attempts, missed two field goals and lost two fumbles. The Hoosiers finished with 369 yards to Ohio State’s 313.
The Buckeyes took the lead just before halftime. Trailing 7–3, they drove 80 yards in 15 plays, with Sayin throwing a two-yard touchdown pass to Bo Jackson. That gave Ohio State a 10–7 lead at the break.
Indiana fumbled on each of its first two possessions of the second half. Connor Hawkins turned the first into a 29-yard field goal. The second ended a drive at the Ohio State 38. Indiana later got the ball back on an interception but missed a field goal.
Sayin completed 15 of 29 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Smith finished with four catches for 68 yards. Hoover threw for 296 yards without an interception, with Becker catching nine passes.
Indiana began its final possession at its own 30 with 3:06 remaining. The Hoosiers drove to the Ohio State 27 before turning the ball over on downs with 1:02 left. Ohio State needed only two kneel-downs to finish.
