NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding missed a 27-yard field goal in the final minutes as Indiana held on to win the Big 10 football championship 13-10 on Saturday. For Indiana, it is their first outright conference championship since 1945, after winning a share of the title in 1967.
The Hoosiers were four-point underdogs entering the game against the defending national champions, with the top seed in the College Football Playoff on the line. Now, before the playoffs even start, Indiana has arguably clinched its most successful season of the modern era.
“I want to give all the credit to God. We were never meant to be in this position, but by the glory of God, the great coaches, the great teammates, everybody around us, we were able to pull this off,” Indiana quarterback Fernandeo Mendoza told Fox Sports after the game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) tries to stop Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Mendoza passed for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception to help pull off the victory.
Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker, who caught six passes for 126 yards, also said “all glory to God” to Fox Sports after the win.
NOTRE DAME’S MARCUS FREEMAN LIKES TO SET FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Indiana Hoosiers kicker Nicolas Radicic (15) kicks a field goal during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“Hoosiers are real and we’re here,” Becker said.
Indiana, now 13-0, will now look to win its first-ever national championship in the College Football Playoff, as their statement win over Ohio State should all but secure the No. 1 seed when the tournament begins.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Indiana Hoosiers running back Roman Hemby (1) rushes the ball Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, Ohio State will likely still get a first-round bye despite the loss.
