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

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

With a brutal 56-22 win over Oregon in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to the first national championship game in program history.

Head coach Curt Cignetti left the college football world breathless with a dramatic transformation of the Hoosiers program from one of the Big 10’s losingest teams to potentially the most dominant single season of all time.

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Many prominent athletes expressed their amazement on social media at Indiana’s unprecedented dominance during and after their win over Oregon. Indiana Governor Mike Braun also got involved.

Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza improved his status as the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft by throwing five touchdown passes.

Kaelon Black scored twice to lead Indiana in the running game.

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#15 Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers tackles Aaron Flowers #21 of the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) had three turnovers in the first half but came up short due to the absence of its two best running backs.

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

Moore’s 19-yard touchdown 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 at 14–7, Indiana’s defense forced a turnover after Moore fumbled and Indiana recovered at the Oregon 3, setting up a scoring run by Black.

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

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

Oregon finally responded. Hill’s 70-yard run set up a 2-yard run by Harris.

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

Backup running backs including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr. provided little help to quarterback Dante Moore. Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would be daunting, even with all its weapons.

The Hoosiers have only gained momentum in the CFP after their undefeated regular season. indiana Defeated Alabama 38-3 Mendoza threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the Rose Bowl quarterfinals.

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

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Roman Hemby, No. 1 of the Indiana Hoosiers, walks off the field before the end zone against the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

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

The country will be watching to see if this unprecedented team can get the job done and truly make their way into the history books.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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