Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Indianapolis, IN — The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 22-10 in the Big Ten Championship Game, powered by a dominant performance from their defense and a historic effort from running back Trey Sermon. Sermon shattered the program’s single-game rushing record with an astonishing 331 yards on 29 carries, including a 65-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory. Quarterback Justin Fields had an uncharacteristically subdued performance, completing 12 of 27 passes for 114 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, largely due to Northwestern’s stout pass defense led by cornerback Greg Newsome II.

On defense, Ohio State clamped down after Northwestern’s early 10-6 lead, with standout performances from linebackers Pete Werner and Baron Browning, who helped limit Northwestern’s offense to just 329 total yards. Defensive lineman Haskell Garrett and the Buckeyes’ front seven controlled the trenches, pressuring Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey and stifling their run game. Ramsey managed 224 passing yards but threw two costly interceptions, including one in the red zone by safety Josh Proctor, which proved pivotal in halting Northwestern’s momentum. The Buckeyes’ second-half adjustments, particularly their focus on Sermon’s ground game and defensive resilience, ultimately overwhelmed the Wildcats and secured Ohio State’s fourth consecutive Big Ten title.