In a result that has sent shockwaves through American college football, the Indiana Hoosiers have secured their first outright Big Ten Conference title since 1945, dethroning the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes with a gritty 13-10 victory in Indianapolis.
The Cignetti Revolution: From Losingest Programme to National Contender
When head coach Curt Cignetti arrived in Bloomington 737 days ago, he issued a bold manifesto: moral victories were unacceptable. The former Nick Saban assistant demanded immediate, significant wins for a programme historically known more for its losses. His audacious promise has been delivered in spectacular fashion. In just two seasons, Cignetti has transformed the Football Bowl Subdivision's (FBS) most losing programme into the nation's top playoff seed and a bona fide championship contender.
"I think we were a year late," Cignetti joked during the trophy ceremony, referencing the team's rapid ascent. His impact has been nothing short of revolutionary, setting a new benchmark for programme turnarounds across the country. Taking over a team mired in three consecutive losing seasons, Cignetti brashly challenged doubters to examine his record. He then promptly led Indiana to a school-record 11 wins and their first-ever playoff appearance in his debut year.
A Historic Night in Indianapolis
The 2025 season has seen the Hoosiers ascend to even greater heights. Now a perfect 13-0, they stand as the last unbeaten team in major college football. Saturday's win was a monumental achievement on multiple fronts. It snapped Ohio State's 16-game winning streak, the nation's longest, and ended a 30-year Hoosier losing streak against the Buckeyes dating back to 1988.
The victory was orchestrated by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who battled through an injury sustained on the game's first play. Mendoza etched his name into Hoosier lore with two clutch throws: a perfectly placed 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt for the lead, and a game-sealing 33-yard completion to Charlie Becker on a critical third down late in the fourth quarter.
"Although I got hit, I never was going to stay down," Mendoza stated. "I'd die for my brothers on that field." His heroics have positioned him as a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, which would be a first for an Indiana player.
Building a Legacy and Looking Ahead
Cignetti's all-or-nothing philosophy was on full display in the championship game. "I wasn't going to play not to lose," he said, explaining his aggressive play-calling. The results over his tenure are staggering: a 24-2 record, with the only losses coming on the road against the two teams that contested last season's national championship.
The accolades have followed the success. Cignetti earned his second consecutive Big Ten Coach of the Year award this week, while Mendoza was named the conference's top quarterback, a first for Indiana since 2001. The university has already extended Cignetti's contract twice in recognition of his transformative work.
Now, a programme from a school famed for basketball and soccer titles embarks on an unprecedented journey: the college football playoffs as the number one seed. With a top-five offence and defence, the Hoosiers have proven they can win the tough, defensive battles, as they did against Ohio State.
Linebacker Isaiah Jones sent a message to the remaining sceptics: "It means a lot, we played for each other. For any of the doubters out there, this was the final nail in the coffin." The mission that seemed unthinkable two years ago is now a reality, and Indiana believes they are just getting started.
