The Ohio State football team finally lost a game in 2025. It's the first time that the Buckeyes have lost in over a year, as they lost the Big Ten Championship Game 13-10 to Indiana. Terrible prep by Brian Hartline seemed to be the biggest reason why the Buckeyes fell to the Hoosiers.
Indiana is a very good team with a really good offense and defense. They didn't need any help to win this game because of how good they are. Yet, the referees decided that they were going to help Indiana out, especially in some crucial situations that screwed the Ohio State Buckeyes.
There were three egregious holding calls that the officials missed in this game that could have changed the entire complexion of the game. Each of them was worse than the last.
Three holding calls that screwed the Ohio State football team vs Indiana
Take a look at the first one.
anther huge missed hold pic.twitter.com/DpxCNxQaQc
— McNeil (@REFLOG18) December 7, 2025
Kenyatta Jackson got tackled while he was trying to sack Fernando Mendoza, allowing IU to pick up a first down in the fourth quarter of the game. It's unacceptable that this play did not warrant a flag from the referee. Jackson getting tackled was a common theme in this game.
This is insane.
— Buckeye HQ (@RealisticBuck) December 7, 2025
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. gets held and tackled to the ground for the 2nd time in 3 plays. No call: pic.twitter.com/jEfHeyXIsh
Jackson is once again driven into the ground without a flag coming out. Once again, the Buckeyes were screwed because of how poorly the referees officiated this game. Those first two holds were bad, but they're nothing compared to this one.
One of the worst non-calls I’ve ever seen.
— Buckeye HQ (@RealisticBuck) December 7, 2025
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. gets held by one defender and tackled by the other: pic.twitter.com/NVEzzlvzIL
This was on third down. So not only do they not call this hold, which was a play that could have gotten IU off the field, but it also led to an Indiana touchdown. This could not have been a worse missed call. The referee should not be allowed to officiate games anymore after this performance.
Not getting holding calls is nothing new for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has just three holding calls on opponents in the last two seasons. It's an insanely bad stat that needs to be corrected. Ohio State has to hope that it gets better officiating in the College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes wouldn't mind getting a rematch with the Hoosiers, either.