ATLANTA — Indiana’s march through the College Football Playoff reached a defining moment on January 9, 2026, when the nation’s top-ranked team dismantled No. 5 Oregon 56–22 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, one of the most decisive semifinal outcomes in CFP history. Before a crowd of 75,604 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Hoosiers combined explosive scoring, opportunistic defense, and near-flawless quarterback play to secure a place in the national championship game against No. 10 Miami on January 19.
From the opening moments, it was clear Indiana had arrived prepared to dictate terms. Oregon never had an opportunity to ease into the game, and the early momentum swung sharply toward the Hoosiers. A defensive takeaway immediately translated into points, igniting an Indiana-heavy atmosphere inside the dome and putting pressure on an Oregon team that suddenly found itself chasing the game.
The Ducks briefly steadied themselves with a composed response drive that resulted in a touchdown pass from quarterback Dante Moore, but the sense of balance was short-lived. Indiana’s offense, led by Fernando Mendoza, answered methodically and then accelerated. What followed was not a single decisive play, but a steady accumulation of advantages that Oregon could not counter.
Mendoza played with confidence and control, rarely forcing throws and consistently finding open receivers in space. Indiana’s offensive design emphasized efficiency over spectacle, yet the results were devastating. Touchdowns came from multiple personnel groupings, forcing Oregon’s defense to defend the entire field. By the end of the first half, the Hoosiers had turned early opportunity into separation, entering halftime with a commanding lead that reflected both execution and preparation.
Oregon’s difficulties were compounded by turnovers at critical moments. Promising possessions stalled when Indiana’s defense stripped the ball free or stepped into passing lanes. While the Ducks accumulated yardage between the 20s, Indiana repeatedly slammed the door in high-leverage situations. The Hoosiers’ ability to convert defensive stops into immediate points proved decisive, widening the gap and draining Oregon’s margin for error.
The second half became a showcase of Indiana’s depth and balance. The Hoosiers continued to score through both the air and on the ground, leaning on a physical rushing attack to wear down Oregon’s front while still threatening vertically. Kaelon Black’s power running added another dimension, turning sustained drives into demoralizing finishes as Indiana continued to control time of possession.
Mendoza’s final stat line underscored the nature of his performance. He completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and threw five touchdown passes without an interception, a display defined by precision rather than volume. Elijah Sarratt emerged as a favorite target in the end zone, while Indiana’s tight ends and slot receivers also played prominent roles.
Moore, to his credit, continued competing despite the deficit, finishing with 285 passing yards and two touchdowns. However, the turnovers and early hole proved insurmountable. Oregon never fully recovered from the initial swing in momentum, and each attempt to rally was met with another Indiana answer.
As the final minutes ticked away, the outcome had long been decided. The Hoosiers’ sideline reflected a team aware of the significance of the moment — not just a semifinal victory, but confirmation of a season-long identity built on discipline, adaptability, and confidence.
Under head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana’s rise has been rapid and emphatic. In just his second season, Cignetti has guided the program to an unbeaten record and a national title appearance, reshaping expectations for a team once considered an outsider in the playoff conversation.
When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard told a simple story, but the larger message resonated beyond Atlanta. Indiana did not merely defeat Oregon; it controlled the game from start to finish, leaving little doubt about its readiness for college football’s biggest stage. As the Hoosiers now prepare for Miami, they do so carrying the momentum of a semifinal performance that will stand as one of the defining moments of their historic season.
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