Indiana crushes Oregon 56-22 to reach first national championship game

The 2025 Indiana Hoosiers became the fifth team in modern college football history to go 15-0. They can now become the first team in the modern era to go 16-0, and only the second ever, joining an 1894 Yale team that played in leather helmets.

With a merciless beating of 56-22 from Oregon In the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to their first appearance in a national championship game in program history.

Head coach Curt Cignetti left the college football world breathless with a dramatic turnaround of the Hoosiers program, going from one of the losingest teams in the Big 10 to potentially having the most dominant season ever.

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Many prominent sports figures expressed amazement on social media at Indiana’s unprecedented dominance during and after its victory over Oregon. Indiana Governor Mike Braun also weighed in.

Indiana Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes, improving his record to become the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

Kaelon Black ran for two touchdowns to lead Indiana’s running game.

INDIANA WINS FIRST BIG 10 FOOTBALL TITLE SINCE 1945 AFTER OHIO STATE FLUBS SHORT FIELD GOAL TRY

Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) was doomed by three turnovers in the first half while also being shorthanded by the absence of two of its top running backs.

Indiana’s defense didn’t wait long to make an impact. On Oregon’s first snap, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Moore’s pass intended for Malik Benson and returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. Just 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers and their defense had already declared that it would be a long night for Moore and the Oregon offense.

Moore’s 19-yard pass to tight end Jamari Johnson tied the game. The rest of the half belonged to Indiana and its big-play defense.

After Mendoza’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. gave the Hoosiers the lead for good at 14-7, Indiana’s defense forced a turnover when Moore fumbled and Indiana recovered at the Oregon 3, setting up Black’s score.

Moore lost a second fumble later in the second quarter when hit by Daniel Ndukwe and Mario Landino recovered at the Oregon 21. Mendoza’s first scoring pass to Sarratt gave the Hoosiers a 35-7 lead.

Indiana extended its lead to 42-7 on Mendoza’s 13-yard pass to EJ Williams Jr.

Oregon finally responded. A 70-yard run by Hill gave Harris a 2-yard score.

The Hoosiers led 35-7 at halftime as the Ducks were held to nine rushing yards on 17 carries. Noah Whittington, who leads Oregon with 829 rushing yards, was held out with an undisclosed injury after Jordon Davison, who had 667 yards and 15 touchdowns, was already injured. listed as released with a collarbone injury.

Backup running backs, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr., provided too little help to quarterback Dante Moore. Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been difficult, even with all his weapons.

After their undefeated regular season, the Hoosiers have only gained momentum in the CFP. Indiana beat Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinals as Mendoza passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns.

Now, the Hoosiers will prepare to face Miami on Jan. 19 in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Miami beats Mississippi 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinals Thursday night.

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Indiana will try to give the Big Ten its third straight national title, following Ohio State and Michigan the last two seasons. Few teams in any conference can compare to the Hoosiers’ display of strong, balanced play throughout the season.

The country will be watching to see if this unprecedented team can finish the job and truly write their ticket into the history books.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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