The Buckeyes came out to a raucous Horseshoe and played with a lead, fueled by the tenacity of their home crowd. All week it felt like there was a desire to make a statement against 10-0 No. 5 Indiana, with head coach Curt Cignetti planning a big game all season.

Not only did Ohio State make a statement with a 38-15 score against the Hoosiers, who they held to a paltry 151 yards of total offense, but the Buckeyes made sure to put an exclamation point on the game with a 1-yard plunge in the match. last minute. Quarterback Will Howard extinguished an imaginary cigarette after the game in memory of Coach Cig.

Will Howard had a few messages for Cignetti and Indiana after Ohio State’s win pic.twitter.com/PGzTLE6E7p

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2024

The boot was loudest on a 79-yard punt return touchdown for Caleb Downs, the first for the Buckeyes since 2014 when running back Jalin Marshall also came against Indiana in the penultimate week of the season.

Howard was among Saturday’s standouts, going 22 of 26 for 201 yards, two touchdowns and an interception that came off a dropped pass by Ohio State tight end Jelani Thurman. Linebacker Cody Simon collected 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble to lead a dominant day for Ohio State’s pass rush.

But most importantly, Ohio State must continue this momentum into its rivalry battle with Michigan next week – regardless of the Wolverines’ record.

Eleven warriors Andy Anders and Dan Hope look back on a fun, exciting day from Ohio Stadium in the latest episode of After Carmen, which you can watch at the top of the page.