Biggest regular season game in IU football history? Showdown at Ohio State is up there – The Daily Hoosier

On By Littum

Curt Cignetti didn’t like it when Don Fischer introduced IU football’s next game — Nov. 23 at Ohio State — as “probably the biggest game in IU gridiron history” on their Thursday night radio show.

The first-year head coach threw up his hands in playful disapproval of that characterization.

When Cignetti was introduced to the show, he teased Fischer about his description of the game.

“I have to make some exceptions here,” Cigetti said. “‘The biggest game in IU football history?’ You’re such a big game because it’s the only game that’s coming and that’s what happens if you keep going being successful, the importance of the next game and the next game becomes greater. It’s just the next game.”

But is Fischer right?

It’s relatively easy to go back in IU’s history and point to the biggest games because seasons like 2024 have been few and far between.

If we set some criteria here — a late regular-season game with Big Ten title and/or national implications — then it’s certainly fair to argue that the matchup between CFP No. 5 Indiana and No. 2 Ohio State is among the biggest regular-season games in program history.

At stake for both teams is a spot in the Big Ten Championship game, and thus a potential bye in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.

What other late-season games could have matched that level of significance for the IU football program? There have only been a handful.

(1945—PURDUEIINDIANA

Earlier season wins at Michigan and at Minnesota were massive, but an undefeated season and an outright Big Ten title would be on the line against archrival and No. 18 ranked Purdue in the 1945 season finale. The Hoosiers had risen to their highest national ranking, the would achieve on the season – No. 4.

After a scoreless first half in the game for the Old Oaken Bucket, IU erupted for four touchdowns in the second half – two runs by Pete Pihos and two passes from Ben Raimondi – to cruise to victory and secure a 9-0-1 record. It was Indiana’s third straight shutout to close the season as the Hoosiers won on the road 26-0.

How much excitement was there surrounding the Hoosiers’ Big Ten title and undefeated season? According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, IU President Herman B. Wells declared the following Monday a non-class holiday.

The win gave IU what remains its one and only outright Big Ten title.

1967 — PURDUE IN INDIANA

It would be No. 3 and defending Rose Bowl champion Purdue standing in the way of a first-ever trip to the Rose Bowl for IU.

With more than 52,000 in attendance at Memorial Stadium, Indiana raced out to a 19-7 lead. Senior Terry Cole was the big story with 155 yards rushing.

Purdue would cut the lead to 19-14 and the Boilermakers had the ball at IU’s four yard line with six minutes left in the game. That’s when Ken Kaczmarek forced a fumble that safety Mike Baughman recovered at the one yard line.

The Hoosiers would hang on from there to secure a share of the Big Ten title and their first-ever trip to Pasadena.

1987 — INDIANA AT MICHIGAN STATE

IU traveled to East Lansing for a game that would likely decide the Big Ten champion. A Hoosier win over Michigan State would have put Indiana at one win and you’re in the Rose Bowl game against Purdue the following week.

It shouldn’t be.

With the Indiana offense sputtering, the Spartans controlled the game and won 27-3. This memorable moment followed in the Michigan State locker room as head coach Bill Mallory implored the Spartans to win the Rose Bowl. MSU did just that, beating USC 20-17.

2020 — INDIANA AT OHIO STATE

No. 9 Indiana battled, but 28 unanswered points by the No. 3 Buckeyes was too much to overcome.

IU rallied from a 35-7 deficit and twice had the ball with a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter after the defense shut down Ohio State.

But despite a big day offensively, Indiana struggled to move the ball on the two late drives and fell short, 42-35 in Columbus.

The game would end up being the difference in Indiana’s chance to play in the Big Ten title game and likely the CFP.

Ohio State would go on to win the Big Ten title and finish as the national runner-up in the CFP.

HONORABLE REMARK

  • 1993 at Penn State
  • 1988 vs Ohio State
  • 1988 in Michigan
  • 1987 in Iowa
  • 1967 in Michigan
  • (1945 in Minnesota
  • 1910 vs. Illinois

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