Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover threw up a lob to wide receiver Nick Marsh for what should’ve been an easy touchdown. However, his left foot landed out of bounds and Ohio State escaped Bloomington with a win.
It was a shocking result given the amount of space between the Hoosiers’ pass-catcher and the nearest Buckeyes defender.
One of the most important games of the entire college football season was decided by a matter of inches. Gut-wrenching.
Fox shoved a camera in Nick Marsh’s face.
Indiana trailed Ohio State by four points with just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter. The Hoosiers had the ball on offense at the Buckeyes’ 27-yard-line on 4th down. They needed only four yards to move the chains.
Marsh put the defensive back in a blender at the line of scrimmage and broke down the sideline. Hoover went deep.
It was going to be an easy touchdown. Marsh just needed to catch the ball and get one foot in the end zone. He couldn’t do it. Memorial Stadium went bonkers because it looked like Indiana took back the lead with 1:02 remaining.
That was not the case. Marsh caught the ball (which was slightly overthrown because Hoover was dealing with a sore shoulder and about to get crushed as he released) beyond the goal line but his first step was out of bounds. No touchdown. Turnover on downs.
Marsh knew it was over as soon as he looked down at his feet. The Fox cameraman got right up in his face to show his reaction.
Josh Hoover finds Nick Marsh – BUT HE'S OUT OF BOUNDS pic.twitter.com/WCcs1mUefF
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 17, 2026
Here is a replay:
JOSH HOOVER AND NICK MARSH THANK U VERY MUCH pic.twitter.com/IEeOEvAojl
— wok (@wokdior) October 17, 2026
What looked like a potential game-winning touchdown in real time became one of the most painful plays in program history.
Indiana lost to Ohio State and did not cover the spread.
Most major sportsbooks listed the Hoosiers as three-point underdogs against the Buckeyes. Indiana lost by four.
As could be expected, Nick Marsh took the majority of the blame. He could not make the play when it mattered most. A matter of inches proved to be the difference. The reigning national champions lost their first game of the season and did not cover.
It happens. Indiana is still very much alive in the Big Ten and for the College Football Playoff. Things could be worse.
Sports bettors don’t agree. Some of the gamblers who wagered on the Hoosiers want Marsh to be investigated. He appeared to have the FanDuel app on his phone during the offseason, which would be a big no-no. Did he also throw the game?
I hate that this is the world we live in. Hoover should’ve made a better throw. Marsh should’ve caught the ball in bounds. He did not step out of the end zone on purpose. Let’s be real here.