A late, shockingly missed field goal from close range has cost Ohio State the Big Ten championship, handing the Indiana Hoosiers a historic 13-10 victory and a perfect 13-0 season.
A Costly Decision and a Crucial Miss
With just under three minutes remaining in Saturday night's Big Ten title game at Lucas Oil Stadium, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day faced a critical fourth-and-one situation. Trailing 13-10 to the Indiana Hoosiers, Day opted to send out the field goal unit for a 27-yard attempt to tie the game, rather than go for the first down.
Kicker Jayden Fielding, with the chance to level the score at 13-13, then pulled his kick wide left of the posts. The miss sparked wild celebrations among the Indiana fans in the stands, while a devastated Fielding could only bury his head in his hands.
Portnoy and Fans Slam 'Choke Job'
The dramatic finish drew immediate and fierce criticism, notably from Barstool Sports chief and noted Michigan Wolverines fan Dave Portnoy. He took to social media to lambast both the coaching decision and the execution.
"What a p***y move kicking the field goal on 4th and 1. And then an absolute choke job kick," Portnoy wrote. In a separate post, he added, "Same old Ohio State. Get them in a close game and they roll over. No guts."
College football fans online echoed the sentiment, with many calling the miss "embarrassing" and suggesting Ohio State got what it deserved for not attempting to convert the fourth down. One fan commented, "That's championship football - a 27-yard miss when everything's on the line separates teams that execute under pressure from those that don't."
Indiana Seals Historic Victory and Perfect Season
The victory secured Indiana's first Big Ten championship since 1967, capping a remarkable undefeated season under coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers' stingy defence shut down Ohio State after taking the lead on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Fernando Mendoza to Elijah Sarratt in the third quarter.
The win snapped a 30-game losing streak against the Buckeyes dating back to 1988 and ended major college football's longest winning streak at 16 games. Indiana likely locked up the No. 1 seed for the upcoming College Football Playoff, extending the best record in school history.
For the reigning national champions, Ohio State, the quest for back-to-back titles will likely now begin as the No. 2 seed with a first-round bye, finishing the season 12-1.
