They weren’t perfect, but you can’t put Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to IU on their defense. Jim Tressel used to ask his offense to get him at least 21 and his defense to allow no more than 14. Ohio State hasn’t allowed more than 13 in a loss or more than three touchdowns overall since October 12th, 2024.
Some guys struggled, particularly in pass coverage and run containment. But others thrived in rushing the passer like Caden Curry. The native of Indiana went off in Nap Town. Curry had seven tackles, three for a loss, two sacks, and a pass deflected at the line of scrimmage. Two of Curry’s sacks and his pass deflection helped the Buckeye defense get off the field on three different occasions.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. had a great game despite constantly being held. He would have matched the Curry had Indiana not had fistfuls of his jersey all night. Still, Jackson had three tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a sack.
Davison Igbinosun had the best game for the secondary and maybe of his senior season. He had four tackles and the interception that set up Ohio State’s lone touchdown. Sonny Styles was a tackling machine, making 12 stops, seven of them solo. He and Caleb Downs did most of the Buckeyes’ tackling. Downs had eight stops, six of them by himself.
Indiana averages 41.9 points per game this year, the most in college football. Ohio State held them to 13, the fewest they’ve scored in their 24-2 record under new coach Curt Cignetti. IU averages over 24 first downs a game; Ohio State held them to 17. They averaged 472.8 yards per game, and Ohio State held them to 340.
The Ohio State defense is still the nation’s best in fewest points allowed, allowing only 7.8 points per game. The Bucks are still the best in total yards allowed, allowing only 213.5 per game. They still allow the fewest passing yards and the fifth fewest rushing yards per game.
They’re a machine. A machine that was still operating at a high enough level to win the Big Ten title, and will operate at a high enough level for a second national title.