Ohio State kicker misses 27-yard field goal with under 3 minutes left as Indiana wins Big Ten Championship in shocking upset

Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding missed a pivotal 27-yard field goal attempt as the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers defeated the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes, 13-10, in the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6, 2025. The loss snapped the Buckeyes’ undefeated 12-0 season in a defensive struggle between the nation’s two top-ranked teams. With less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Fielding pulled the kick wide left, preserving Indiana’s lead and sending the Hoosiers to next postseason play.

Fielding’s Worst Nightmare in Title Game Spotlight

Jayden Fielding entered the championship game as a reliable weapon for the Buckeyes offense, having connected on his first 15 consecutive field goal attempts during the 2025 season. The fourth-year kicker had been nearly automatic from inside 40 yards, making him a critical component of Ohio State’s championship run. However, the biggest moment of the season proved to be his most costly failure.

When Ohio State trailed 13-10 with under three minutes remaining, the Buckeyes drove into field goal range seeking to tie the game. Isaiah Jones’s sack on third-and-goal forced Ohio State to settle for a short field goal opportunity from the right hashmark. Fielding lined up for what should have been a chip shot at 27 yards, but the ball sailed outside the left upright, sealing the upset and ending Ohio State’s postseason hopes in devastating fashion.

This misstep echoed Fielding’s performance against Michigan the previous year, where he also missed crucial fourth-quarter kicks in a high-pressure situation. The Bradenton, Florida native had been selected as one of the nation’s most consistent placekickers, but the championship stage proved unforgiving amid Lucas Oil Stadium’s roaring crowd.

Indiana’s Defensive Battle Claims Undefeated Championship

The Hoosiers’ defense authored one of the most impressive championship defensive performances, holding Ohio State and Heisman Trophy candidate Julian Sayin to just 10 points. Indiana’s defensive strategy focused on limiting the explosive play of Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith, one of the nation’s elite receivers. The defensive chess match proved decisive as both squads struggled to establish offensive rhythm.

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana’s Heisman-contending quarterback, survived a serious injury scare on the opening play when he took a hard chest hit but quickly returned to lead the Hoosiers’ offense. Mendoza managed the game effectively, avoiding critical mistakes while supporting a dominant Indiana defense that allowed just 10 points. The Hoosiers’ defensive line was particularly effective, with Isaiah Jones recording the crucial sack that forced Fielding’s missed field goal.

Indiana’s coaching staff under Curt Cignetti executed a perfect defensive game plan that held the nation’s best scoring defense—Ohio State—well below their season average.

Game Flow and Defensive Dominance

Quarter	Ohio State	Indiana
First Quarter (7:00)	7	3
Halftime (End Q2)	10	6
End Third Quarter	10	13
Final Score	10	13

Ohio State’s offense scored first on a 7-yard touchdown reception from Julian Sayin after an Indiana turnover. The Buckeyes’ field goal in the second quarter extended their lead to 10-6 at halftime. However, Indiana’s second-half adjustment proved transformational when the Hoosiers scored a touchdown drive midway through the third quarter, taking a 13-10 lead that held until the final moments.

Ohio State’s Perfect Season Ends in Heartbreak

The Buckeyes entered the championship undefeated for the first time since 2014, boasting the nation’s best scoring defense at 7.8 points per game. Head coach Ryan Day’s team had not trailed since early in the season, exemplifying their dominance throughout 2025. However, the loss to Indiana eliminates Ohio State from playoff contention and marks a shocking conclusion to an otherwise dominant campaign.

The Ohio State Buckeyes had dominated opponents all season but found themselves unable to overcome Indiana’s defensive intensity and ultimately Fielding’s missed opportunity. The loss represents the first blemish on an otherwise stellar season, with the Buckeyes finishing 12-1 overall. Ohio State’s defensive dominance proved insufficient without the critical field goal when it mattered most.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Julian Sayin and the Ohio State defense had been elite throughout the season, but the championship game showcased that even dominant teams face defeat against prepared opponents.

What This Loss Means for College Football’s Playoff Picture?

The Indiana upset victory dramatically reshapes the college football landscape heading into playoff selection. Ohio State’s loss removes a potential semifinal favorite from contention. Meanwhile, Indiana’s Big Ten Championship gives the Hoosiers an incredible resume boost as they prepare for postseason play.

Jayden Fielding’s missed 27-yard field goal will haunt the Ohio State program and its fans for years to come. In a championship decided by just 3 points, such a critical miss exemplifies how fine the margins are at the highest level of college football. The Buckeyes’ undefeated season ended not with a comprehensive defeat but with a heart-breaking single moment of failure.

The Big Ten Championship delivered one of the most shocking conclusions of the 2025 college football season, proving that even the nation’s most dominant teams remain vulnerable when championship pressure arrives.

Sources

• Sporting News – Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding’s missed 27-yard field goal analysis
• ESPN – Final score and game statistics from Big Ten Championship
• CBS Sports – Live updates and game coverage