Indiana Crushes Oregon 56-22 to Reach CFP Title Game/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ No. 1 Indiana routed No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl, fueled by five touchdown passes from Fernando Mendoza and a dominant defense. The undefeated Hoosiers forced three first-half turnovers and will face Miami in the national championship game. Indiana now seeks its first title and the Big Ten’s third straight national crown.
CFP Peach Bowl Recap Quick Looks
- Indiana defeats Oregon 56-22 in CFP semifinal
- Hoosiers advance to national title game vs. Miami
- Mendoza throws 5 TDs, adds near-perfect passing night
- Indiana defense forces 3 turnovers, blocks a punt
- Oregon missing top two running backs due to injuries
- Indiana improves to 15-0 with complete team performance
- Defense scored early with pick-six, set tone for game
- Oregon’s Dante Moore struggles, loses two fumbles, throws INT
- Indiana fans dominate the stadium in Atlanta
- Miami vs. Indiana national title game set for Jan. 19
Indiana Crushes Oregon 56-22 to Reach CFP Title Game
Deep Look
ATLANTA — The top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers showed exactly why they’re the College Football Playoff favorite, delivering a complete performance in all phases to dismantle No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal Friday night. The victory sends undefeated Indiana (15-0) to the national championship game, where they will face No. 10 Miami on January 19.
With a relentless defense, a clinical offense, and key special teams contributions, Indiana left no doubt as to who belonged in the title game. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, fresh off winning the Heisman Trophy, continued his remarkable season with five touchdown passes on 17-of-20 efficiency. The Miami native will now return home for a shot at history.
“Fernando was incredible,” said Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti. “He made all the right reads, the receivers battled for every catch, and our defense played lights out.”
Mendoza connected twice with Elijah Sarratt and also found Charlie Becker for a 36-yard strike, part of an opening half in which Indiana dominated both sides of the ball.
Indiana’s defense wasted no time announcing its presence. On Oregon’s first offensive snap, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Dante Moore and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Only 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers were already ahead — a tone-setter for what was to come.
“Ponds’ pick-six really started the night off right,” said Cignetti. “It gave us momentum and set the tone for the rest of the half.”
The Hoosiers would go on to score 35 points in the first half alone, capitalizing on three Oregon turnovers. After Mendoza gave Indiana a 14-7 lead with a short TD pass to Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana’s defense pounced again — this time recovering a Moore fumble at the 3-yard line, setting up Kaelon Black’s first rushing touchdown.
Moore’s rough night continued when he lost a second fumble in the second quarter, forced by Daniel Ndukwe and recovered by Mario Landino. Mendoza then connected with Sarratt to put Indiana ahead 35-7 by halftime.
At that point, Oregon had been held to just 9 rushing yards on 17 carries, missing top backs Noah Whittington and Jordon Davison due to injuries. Backups Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr. were unable to spark the offense, and Moore, under constant pressure, couldn’t recover.
To his credit, Moore later found tight end Jamari Johnson for a 19-yard touchdown, tying the game briefly at 7-7, but the Ducks would never lead. His 70-yard scamper in the third quarter gave Oregon hope, setting up a Harris touchdown, but the gap remained too wide to close.
Mendoza’s 13-yard touchdown pass to E.J. Williams Jr. extended the lead to 42-7 before Oregon found the end zone again. Ndukwe later added to his stellar night with a blocked punt in the fourth quarter, which set up Mendoza’s second TD toss to Sarratt.
Indiana’s march through the CFP has been nothing short of dominant. In the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, the Hoosiers dismantled Alabama 38-3, a game where Mendoza threw three touchdowns with ease. Now, with two playoff wins by a combined score of 94-25, the Hoosiers are one win away from completing a perfect season and delivering the Big Ten its third straight national title after Michigan and Ohio State.
“This team has been locked in all year,” said Cignetti. “We’ve had one goal, and now we’re one step from achieving it.”
Though Indiana will technically play on the road in Miami Gardens, Mendoza’s return to his hometown for the national championship is fitting. The senior has been the face of Indiana’s incredible rise and will lead the Hoosiers against a Miami team that edged out Mississippi 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Honorary captains added to the night’s significance. Former Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart represented the Ducks, while MLB slugger and Indiana alum Kyle Schwarber stood on the Hoosiers’ sideline.
The night also marked Indiana’s second win over Oregon this season. In their October 11 regular-season meeting, the Hoosiers beat the Ducks 30-20 in Eugene, a game also dominated by Indiana’s defense with two interceptions and six sacks.
And the fans noticed. Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was a sea of red, with Indiana fans reportedly making up more than 80% of the 75,604 in attendance.
“I thought it was just a red wave, but it was Indiana fans,” said Moore. “They showed up in force.”
As for his future, Moore was noncommittal about returning to Oregon next season. “I knew that question was coming,” he said. “I don’t have a decision yet. I’ll talk with Coach Lanning and my family.”
The focus now shifts to Miami, where two red-hot programs will clash for the title. Indiana, with a smothering defense, a Heisman-winning quarterback, and a perfect record, will try to cap off one of the most dominant runs in College Football Playoff history.
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