No. 1 Indiana crushed No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl, with Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza throwing five touchdowns. The Hoosiers, once college football’s losingest program, are now one win away from an undefeated national title.
ATLANTA — Two years ago, the idea of Indiana winning a national championship was laughable. Now, it would be a shock if they don’t.
The No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0), once the losingest program in college football history, are one win away from their first title after dismantling No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl on Friday night. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza threw for 177 yards and five touchdowns, while Indiana’s defense scored 21 points off three Oregon turnovers.
Indiana will face No. 10 Miami in the national championship game on Jan. 19, with a chance to complete college football’s first 16-0 season since the 1894 Yale Bulldogs.
The Rise of Indiana: From Laughingstock to Title Contender
When head coach Curt Cignetti was hired in 2023, he boldly declared, “I win. Google me.” The response was skepticism. After all, Indiana had never been a powerhouse. But Cignetti, who led James Madison to a national title in the FCS, had a plan.
“There was a lot of skepticism after last year that we were a fluke,” Cignetti said. “That team did a lot of great things and got it all started. I think a lot of that negative stuff in the media fueled the guys returning to this team. We added some really key pieces. Great leaders, great players, and we’ve just built off our successes.”
Last season, Indiana made its first College Football Playoff appearance, proving they belonged. This year, they’ve dominated, winning their two playoff games by a combined 69 points.
Fernando Mendoza: The Heisman Winner Leading the Charge
Mendoza, who grew up in Miami, will return home for the national championship with a chance to cement his legacy. The Heisman winner has been the engine of Indiana’s offense, throwing five touchdowns in the Peach Bowl and leading the Hoosiers to 15 straight wins.
“I think playing a national championship would get anybody fired up and definitely stir up some emotions,” Mendoza said. “I believe it’s going to be a great game. The Hurricanes are a fantastic team, led by a great coach in Coach (Mario) Cristobal. Even though it is the national championship, we don’t have to do anything that is out of character. We just gotta play our brand of football, and that’s what has led us to this point.”
Mendoza’s connection with wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (seven receptions, 75 yards, two touchdowns) has been lethal. The duo has been nearly unstoppable in the playoffs, with Sarratt scoring in both games.
Oregon’s Nightmare: Turnovers and Missed Opportunities
Oregon (13-2) came into the game as a formidable opponent, but turnovers doomed the Ducks. Quarterback Dante Moore threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns but also had an interception and lost two fumbles.
“First thing is first, the quarterback has to protect the football,” Moore said. “They have a great defense, great disguise and different looks, but you can’t win football games if you’re causing turnovers. It’s something of course I need to work at. It comes with just reps. But overall, Indiana’s defense is great, but at the end of the day, we beat ourselves.”
Oregon outgained Indiana 378-362, but the turnovers led to 21 points for the Hoosiers. The Ducks’ defense, which had been strong all season, had no answer for Mendoza and the Indiana offense.
The Game-Changing Moments
Indiana set the tone early. On the first play from scrimmage, D’Angelo Ponds picked off Moore and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, giving the Hoosiers a 7-0 lead just 11 seconds into the game.
Oregon answered with a 14-play, 75-yard drive, tying the game at 7-7. But Indiana’s offense, led by Mendoza, responded with a 41-yard drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr.
The Hoosiers’ defense continued to force turnovers. Moore fumbled twice in the first half, leading to two Indiana touchdowns. By halftime, the Hoosiers led 35-7, and the game was effectively over.
What’s Next: A National Championship in Miami
Indiana will face Miami in the national championship game, a matchup filled with storylines. Mendoza returns to his hometown, and the Hoosiers have a chance to complete an undefeated season.
For Oregon, the loss marks another playoff disappointment. The Ducks have now lost in the semifinals in back-to-back seasons, falling to Ohio State last year and Indiana this year.
“You hurt for those guys because the world is going to judge everybody in that room based on the result tonight,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “I’m going to judge those guys on the kind of fathers they become some day, the kind of husbands they become some day. But in this moment you feel like a failure, and they’re not. They’re not failures. These guys won a lot of damn ballgames. They’ve had a lot of success. They’ve changed some peoples’ lives, but right now, that moment is going to hurt.”
For Indiana, the dream season continues. The Hoosiers, once the laughingstock of college football, are now one win away from history.
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