Ohio State’s defense has been the best in the country when it comes to keeping points off the board and not allowing teams to drive down the field.
Indiana, the No. 2 team in the country, has an offense that ranks near the top in both of those categories, scoring 44.3 points per game (second) and gaining 483.8 yards per game (fifth).
That success has largely been due to quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is currently the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy going into the final weekend before ballots are due.
“He’s a really good decision-maker,” said Ohio State sophomore safety Jaylen McClain on Nov. 3. “He has a really strong arm and he trusts it a lot, so he’s able to make good throws.”
Mendoza has thrown for 2,758 yards, completing 211 of 293 passes, leading the Hoosiers to their first ever 12-0 regular season finish. He has thrown for 32 touchdowns, more than any other quarterback in the country, and has thrown just five interceptions. He has also run for six touchdowns.
Junior edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr. knows that, while he hasn’t shown it a lot, the Buckeyes have to be ready to defend against Mendoza being able to use his feet, whether that’s being able to get out of the pocket and make a throw or just pulling and running with the football.
“He’s pretty athletic,” Jackson said. “He doesn’t really show it against other opponents, but when he shows it, he’s pretty athletic when he moves.”
Since one of Mendoza’s main competitors in the Heisman race is Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, McClain believes that the Buckeye defense is well prepared for the competition it is going to see at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.
“To go against one of the best quarterbacks in the country every day obviously makes our defense better,” he said. “We’re up for the challenge. If we think we’re the best in the country like we say we are, then we’ve got to be up for the challenge.”
Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year on Wednesday, believes that it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side of the ball for Indiana, as long as the Buckeyes are able to execute their game plan.
“I don’t think it really matters who’s at quarterback, it’s a matter of what we do and how we execute,” McDonald said. “We don’t know what plays they’re running, but we can execute how we’re going to play.”
The Buckeye defense is focused on this weekend and trying to win the first Big Ten championship for Ohio State since 2020, which means not allowing for a letdown game.
“We just take it day by day, goal by goal,” Jackson said. “We have multiple goals that we want to achieve as a team. Our first goal was to get gold pants and we achieved that one. Now, it’s trying to win a Big Ten championship. That’s all we’re focused on right now.”
