Indiana vs Ohio
Not much is hidden in phonebook-size Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football statistics that follow. The all-time series is lopsided in favor of the Buckeyes, who lead 80-12 overall with 5 ties. Ohio State is 28-0 vs. Indiana since 1991. However, if you scratch beneath that surface, you’ll discover games much closer than anticipated, plenty of box score fireworks and modern indicators Indiana may not be quite the doormat it once was. We prepared a thorough walk-through per relevant stat, deconstructed so you could actually use it.
The All-Time Numbers Don’t Lie
If looking at the Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football stats back to when they first met in 1901, it’s a gap that’s impossible to miss. In 97 meetings, Ohio State has outscored Indiana by an average of about 14 points per game. The Hoosiers took a few meetings in the early century and had a handful during the 1980’s, but by and large the modern era belongs to the Buckeyes.
Out of those 12 Indiana victories, only two came after 1951—one in 1987 and one in 1988. The 1988 game, a 41-7 Hoosier win, still gets brought up by longtime Indiana fans. Anthony Thompson ran wild that day, and the defense forced five turnovers. After that, Ohio State locked the door and threw away the key.
The current 28-game win streak spans 33 years. During that run, only five games finished within single digits. The 2012 game (52-49) and the 2020 game (42-35) stand out as the closest calls. Most of the other meetings were complete blowouts.
2024 Game Stats — Ohio State 38, Indiana 15
The November 23, 2024 game at Ohio Stadium gave us a clear look at what these two programs looked like last season. Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football stats from that day show the Buckeyes grinding down the Hoosiers after a fast start by the visitors.
Here’s how the scoring played out.
Quarter Team Scoring Play Score After
1st IND Ty Son Lawton 2-yard run (Radicic kick) IND 7-0
2nd OSU Emeka Egbuka 11-yard catch from Will Howard (Fielding kick) 7-7
2nd OSU TreVeyon Henderson 4-yard run (Fielding kick) OSU 14-7
3rd OSU Caleb Downs 79-yard punt return TD (Fielding kick) OSU 21-7
3rd OSU Jelani Thurman 1-yard catch from Will Howard (Fielding kick) OSU 28-7
4th OSU Jayden Fielding 45-yard field goal OSU 31-7
4th IND Ty Son Lawton 2-yard run (Cooper Jr. pass) OSU 31-15
4th OSU Quinshon Judkins 4-yard run (Fielding kick) OSU 38-15
The raw stat sheet tells a bigger story. Indiana managed just 151 total yards. Ohio State racked up 316. The Buckeyes held the ball for almost 33 minutes. Indiana’s passing game never got going: 8 completions on 18 attempts for 68 yards. Ohio State’s Will Howard completed 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards and two scores. No interceptions either side, one fumble lost apiece. A clean, lopsided result.
Indiana’s 2024 Season Stats (What Actually Happened)
Most people weren’t paying attention to Indiana after years of mediocre football, but the 2024 season flipped the script. Curt Cignetti took over as head coach, and the Hoosiers ripped off an 11-2 record, finishing 8-1 in Big Ten play. The offense scored 41.3 points per game, second-most in the entire FBS. The defense allowed just 15.6 points per game.
Key full-season numbers:
Passing offense: 261.3 yards per game
Rushing offense: 165.1 yards per game
Total offense: 426.4 yards per game
Total defense: 257.2 yards allowed per game
Rush defense: 81.2 yards allowed per game (one of the best nationally)
Points scored: 537 (a program record)
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke: 3,042 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
Top running back: multiple backs rotated, keeping legs fresh
Those numbers reshape how we view Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football stats. The Hoosiers didn’t just luck into 11 wins—they controlled games with a tough run defense and efficient passing. That Ohio State loss was one of only two blemishes.
Ohio State’s 2024 Numbers (Championship Level)
Ohio State went 14-2 and won the national title in January 2025. The Buckeyes averaged 37.2 points per game and gave up 15.9. The offense gained 429.4 yards per game. The defense held opponents to 254.6 yards per game.
A quick glance at the team sheet:
Passing offense: 263.0 yards per game
Rushing offense: 166.4 yards per game
Will Howard’s final line: 4,010 yards, 35 passing touchdowns
TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins combined for 34 rushing touchdowns
Defense: 17 takeaways, 167 passing yards allowed per game
Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football stats from last season show the Buckeyes as a juggernaut that simply had too much depth. Every unit graded out top-ten nationally by most advanced metrics.
Key Players for the 2025 Matchup
The 2025 game will feature new quarterbacks on both sides. That alone makes the stat comparison more interesting.
Indiana’s core guys:
Fernando Mendoza, QB: Threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with a 72.0% completion rate in 2024. Accurate, decisive, and rarely puts the ball in harm’s way.
Elijah Sarratt, WR: Reliable target who hauled in 527 yards and 5 scores last year.
Mikail Kamara, DL: Disruptive up front, key piece of that stingy run defense.
Aiden Fisher, LB: Leading tackler returning to anchor the middle.
Ohio State’s headliners:
Julian Sayin, QB: Completed 76.98% of his throws for 3,610 yards and 32 TDs. The former 5-star recruit now carries the offense.
Jeremiah Smith, WR: Already one of the most feared wideouts in the country, torches man coverage.
Caleb Downs, S: Game-changing return skills and hard hits in the secondary.
J.T. Tuimoloau, DE: Constant backfield disruption.
When these two rosters line up, the Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football stats from previous seasons give a baseline, but player development and coaching adjustments decide the actual outcome.
Where the Big Gap Comes From
Most casual fans assume the difference is just talent, and they’re mostly right. But the stats pinpoint specific areas.
First, line play. Over the last 10 meetings, Ohio State has averaged 218 rushing yards against Indiana while the Hoosiers have managed under 100. Offensive linemen are also responsible for moving people, not simply running backs. Second, third-down defense. The Buckeyes hold Indiana to a low conversion rate in critical moments, extending drives and wearing down the Hoosiers’ defense. Third, special teams. Caleb Downs’ punt return touchdown in 2024 wasn’t a fluke; Ohio State consistently wins the hidden yardage battle.
Yet Indiana closed the gap in 2024 in overall scoring defense and run defense. The Hoosiers allowed fewer points per game than Ohio State did. That’s a serious statement, even if the schedule strengths weren’t identical.
Game-by-Game Point Totals (Last 10 Meetings)
Here’s a simple table showing the final scores since 2014. Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football stats become very real when you scan this list.
Year Location Ohio State Indiana
2014 Columbus 42 27
2015 Bloomington 34 27
2016 Columbus 38 17
2017 Bloomington 49 21
2018 Columbus 49 26
2019 Bloomington 51 10
2020 Columbus 42 35
2021 Bloomington 54 7
2022 Columbus 56 14
2023 Bloomington 23 3
2024 Columbus 38 15
Average margin: Ohio State by roughly 24 points. Indiana crossed 30 points twice during that stretch, both times in losses. The 2020 shootout (42-35) remains the gold standard for close, exciting football between these two.
Trends That Matter Heading Into the Next Clash
Indiana’s defensive rise: The Hoosiers allowed 15.6 points per game last year. In 2022, that number was 33.9. The turnaround under Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines is real, and the stats back it.
Ohio State’s quarterback change: Will Howard is gone. Julian Sayin has big numbers from spot duty and spring games, but game reps against a physical Indiana front will test him.
Turnover battles: Indiana won the turnover margin in 2024 (+0.7 per game). Ohio State was slightly negative. If that trend holds in their head-to-head, the margin could shrink.
Red zone touchdowns: Both teams scored touchdowns on more than 70% of red zone trips last year. That’s elite production. The team that settles for fewer field goals usually wins this type of game.
The 2012 Game That Almost Broke the Streak
Ask any Indiana fan over 30 about Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football stats, and they’ll bring up October 13, 2012. Indiana scored 15 points in the final 35 seconds and still lost 52-49. Cameron Coffman threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State’s Braxton Miller accounted for 360 total yards by himself. The Hoosiers recovered an onside kick and nearly pulled off the miracle. It serves as a model for how Indiana can keep up with Ohio State: produce explosive plays, make mistakes, and keep the Buckeyes from breathing.
Why Stat Watching Beats Just Watching Highlights
Numbers don’t care about branding or poll inertia. Indiana Hoosiers football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football stats tell you exactly where the matchups will be won or lost. If Indiana can’t run the ball and can’t stop the run, history says it’s over by halftime. But if Mendoza connects on early down throws and the Hoosiers’ front seven holds its own, you get a game like 2020—or maybe an upset.
The 2025 version of this rivalry won’t be decided by tradition. It’ll be decided by the numbers on the field that Saturday. Keep an eye on the rushing totals, the third-down conversion rate, and the turnover column. Those three stats almost always predict the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s Ohio State’s record against Indiana all-time?
Ohio State owns an 80-12-5 advantage across 97 all-time meetings. The Buckeyes have won 28 straight since 1991.
When did Indiana last defeat Ohio State in football?
Indiana’s most recent win came on October 8, 1988, a 41-7 home victory. Anthony Thompson recorded four touchdowns while running for 190 yards.
How did the 2024 Indiana vs Ohio State game play out statistically?
Ohio State won 38-15. The Buckeyes gained 316 total yards to Indiana’s 151, held the ball for 32:49, and Will Howard threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
Which players should I watch in the 2025 matchup?
For Indiana, quarterback Fernando Mendoza and defensive lineman Mikail Kamara. For Ohio State, quarterback Julian Sayin and safety Caleb Downs stand out.
Why have the Indiana Hoosiers struggled so much against Ohio State?
Recruiting talent gaps, depth issues, and consistent line-of-scrimmage dominance by Ohio State explain most of the losses. Indiana has rarely matched the Buckeyes’ physicality for four quarters.
Where can I get the most recent Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes football season statistics?
Official team sites, Sports-Reference.com, and ESPN’s box score pages provide real-time and historical data you can trust.
The Number You Should Circle
If you take one stat away from this entire breakdown, make it the rushing yardage differential. When Ohio State outrushes Indiana by 100 yards or more—as they usually do—the game isn’t close. The run ends the day Indiana flips that number. The Hoosiers have the coaching staff and a few key players to make it happen. All they have to do now is record it.
Share this piece with a friend who thinks the outcome is already decided. The numbers might surprise them.
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