Early in the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State’s No. 1 defense came to play. The Buckeyes are only allowing 1.0 yards per carry on the ground and Fernando Mendoza is averaging only 6.3 yards per pass attempt.
The early portion of the game was not without drama though. After a hard hit to the shouldr in the first drive, Mendoza had to leave the field. In that moment, two very different games hung in the balance. If Mendoza can return, this game remains the game everyone expects it to be. If Mendoza cannot return, it becomes a very different game.
Alberto Mendoza, Fernando’s brother, just so happens to be the backup quarterback for Indiana. Alberto did enter the game for a single play but did not attempt a pass. The younger Mendoza is not on the team by accident or just because his brother is.
In his 24 passing attempts as the backup in 2025, Alberto has 286 yards passing on 75% completions with five touchdowns to only one interception. Regardless of what might have been, Fernando returned to the game one play later.
Mendoza wasn’t the only early injury scare. Omar Cooper, the hero of the Penn State almost loss, got up favoring his leg on a long pass attempt. While Indiana failed to score on their first possession, they were able to move the ball into Ohio State territory, despite the less than impressive per play averages.
Indiana’s defense is also letting their presence on this game be known. In Ohio State’s first possession, Indiana held the Buckeyes skill positions to relatively conservative numbers early. Running back Bo Jackson is averaging 4.0 yards per carry, but only on one attempt. Heisman Trophy long shot Jeremiah Smith has two receptions averaging 10.0 yards per reception.
The Hoosiers are finding ways to make Buckeye’s quarterback Julian Sayin, look less than accurate. The Heisman front runner set the accuracy record in 2025 at 78.9%. Early on, Indiana’s front has gotten pressure into the Buckeye backfield. On the first possession, Sayin was one of three for 13 yards. On the fourth play of that possession, Sayin threw an interception to Louis Moore.
On the following Indiana possession, the offense stalled but were close enough to score a field goal. On Ohio State’s subsequent possession, they moved the ball adequate. However, there was not a single play over twelve yards. After a Mikail Kamara tackle for loss, Indiana got home with a Rolijah Hardy sack. Forcing the Buckeyes to punt.
With only a few minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Big Ten Championship game is shaping up to be what most viewers expected. A tough fought game between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country. It just hasn’t been the explosive offensive display some might have expected. Only two minutes remain in the first quarter. Indiana has the ball and is driving and approaching midfield.
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