FLASHBACK TO FALL GLORY: Bobby Hoying Orchestrates Masterclass as Buckeyes Obliterate Indiana 42-3 in Columbus—1995 Ohio Stadium Rout Showcased Championship-Caliber Dominance
The autumn air hung crisp and electric over Ohio Stadium on November 18, 1995, as the Buckeyes prepared to take on the Indiana Hoosiers in what would prove to be one of the most complete and commanding performances of that storied season. It wasn’t just another game in the Big Ten schedule. It was a statement. A reminder to the rest of the college football world that Ohio State, led by quarterback Bobby Hoying, was firing on all cylinders and primed for something greater. With precision, power, and poise, Hoying orchestrated a 42-3 dismantling of Indiana that left little doubt about the Buckeyes’ championship aspirations.
Bobby Hoying entered the matchup as a seasoned senior quarterback who had developed under the watchful eye of head coach John Cooper and offensive coordinator Joe Hollis. A native of St. Henry, Ohio, Hoying had matured into one of the nation’s most efficient passers, pairing a cerebral understanding of the game with the physical tools to execute at a high level. His rapport with All-American wide receiver Terry Glenn and versatile weapon Eddie George in the backfield made the Buckeye offense one of the most dangerous units in college football that year.
From the moment Hoying took the field that afternoon in Columbus, it was clear he had complete command of the offense. Surveying the Indiana defense, he manipulated coverage with audibles and subtle hand gestures, confidently shifting protections and directing routes. He was both conductor and surgeon—carefully crafting a game plan that saw the Buckeyes move the ball with relentless efficiency. The Hoosiers had no answers for the multi-pronged attack they faced, and as the score continued to mount, so did Hoying’s legacy.
The first quarter showcased Hoying’s ability to stretch the field. On the opening drive, he delivered a beautifully lofted pass to Terry Glenn, who had torched his defender on a deep post route. The timing was flawless, the spiral tight, and the crowd erupted as Glenn crossed the goal line. Hoying followed it up with a mix of short timing throws and quick releases to his backs and tight ends, slowly bleeding the Indiana defense of both hope and energy. His footwork in the pocket was clinical, and the protection offered by the offensive line gave him all the time he needed to operate.
What stood out more than just the statistical production was Hoying’s leadership and composure. On third downs, he was unflappable. When Indiana attempted to apply pressure, Hoying countered with well-timed screens and slants. His cadence kept the Hoosier defensive line on edge, drawing multiple offside penalties and maintaining offensive rhythm. Every time the Buckeyes faced a situation where momentum might waver, Hoying delivered.
By halftime, Ohio State had already built a commanding lead, and it was clear the Hoosiers were outmatched in every phase of the game. But Hoying wasn’t done. With a clear mandate to maintain intensity, he continued to execute at a high level well into the third quarter. He threw with accuracy to the sidelines, threading the ball between cornerbacks and safeties. On one memorable drive, he led the offense down the field with surgical precision, connecting on five straight completions before finishing the series with a play-action touchdown pass that completely froze the Indiana linebackers.
Eddie George, who would go on to win the Heisman Trophy that season, provided a punishing balance to Hoying’s aerial assault. With George pounding the ball between the tackles, Indiana’s defense had no choice but to respect the run, opening up lanes for Hoying to exploit downfield. The tandem of Hoying and George was emblematic of a Buckeye offense that had perfected the blend of physicality and finesse. George’s powerful runs softened the defense, and Hoying capitalized with pinpoint throws that kept the chains moving and the scoreboard spinning.
Defensively, the Buckeyes were just as dominant. They suffocated the Indiana offense, limiting them to a mere field goal and forcing multiple turnovers. But it was the offense that stole the show, and Bobby Hoying was the centerpiece of it all. Every touchdown pass, every read at the line, every adjustment made—it spoke to the preparation and football IQ that had come to define Hoying’s collegiate career.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock and the Buckeyes celebrated a 42-3 victory, the scoreboard didn’t just reflect a blowout. It reflected dominance. A message to the nation. Ohio State was not only talented—they were disciplined, well-coached, and possessed a field general in Hoying who understood the moment and executed with calm authority. He finished the day completing 15-of-21 passes for over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns, yet the box score alone didn’t do justice to the impact he had on that game.
Beyond the numbers, Hoying’s leadership on the field that afternoon was a critical component of Ohio State’s 1995 narrative. Every great team needs a quarterback who can steady the ship in stormy waters, and although the Hoosiers never threatened to overturn the Buckeyes that day, it was Hoying’s unwavering focus that ensured the team never let off the gas. His confidence was infectious. Teammates fed off it. Coaches trusted it. Fans celebrated it.
In hindsight, this game stood as one of the many high-water marks in a season that saw Ohio State surge into national championship contention. The Buckeyes would go on to finish the regular season 11-1, their only blemish coming in a heartbreaker against Michigan. But against Indiana, there was no struggle. No question. It was a perfect example of what the Buckeyes could do when all their weapons clicked into gear and their quarterback was in rhythm.
The game also played a role in cementing Hoying’s legacy among Buckeye greats. Though he would go on to a brief NFL career, it was his time at Ohio State—particularly performances like this one—that earned him the respect and admiration of Buckeye Nation. His precision, poise, and decision-making that afternoon represented everything coaches hope to see from a senior quarterback. He had grown from a promising prospect into a polished leader, capable of elevating the talent around him and performing on the biggest stages.
Looking back nearly three decades later, the 1995 Ohio State vs. Indiana game might not be remembered for late-game heroics or last-minute drama—it didn’t need any. It’s remembered for its completeness, its execution, and the overwhelming sense that Ohio State was in a class of its own. And at the center of it all stood Bobby Hoying, helmet glinting in the Columbus sun, directing his offense with confidence and purpose.
For Ohio State fans, that game remains a vivid snapshot of what Buckeye football can be at its peak—physical, intelligent, relentless. And for Bobby Hoying, it was one more chapter in a senior season defined by excellence. It was a masterclass not only in quarterback play, but in leadership, preparation, and the kind of dominance that separates good teams from great ones.
The echoes of that 42-3 triumph still bounce around the hallowed walls of the Horseshoe, a reminder that on one crisp November day in 1995, the Buckeyes gave their fans a performance to remember—and Bobby Hoying gave them a quarterback’s clinic they’d never forget.
