ATLANTA (AP) — The undefeated Indiana Hoosiers strengthened their already impressive journey through the College Football Playoff with a commanding victory over No. 5 Oregon, defeating them 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal held on January 9, 2026. This triumph was largely due to Indiana's formidable defense, which contributed to three first-half touchdowns through forced turnovers, coupled with an exceptional performance from quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who threw five scoring passes.
With this victory, No. 1 Indiana (15-0, ranked No. 1 in the CFP) secured a spot in the national championship game against No. 10 Miami, which defeated Mississippi 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on January 8, 2026. The championship game is set to take place on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Indiana aims to deliver the Big Ten its third consecutive national title, following victories from Ohio State and Michigan in the previous two seasons.
Indiana's season-long display of balanced performance has placed them in contention for a spot among the top teams in college football history. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and a Miami native, showcased an almost flawless game against Oregon. He completed 17 of 20 passes,including two touchdowns to Elijah Sarratt, highlighted by a 36-yard strike to Charlie Becker.
In addition to Mendoza's aerial assault, running back Kaelon Black also contributed significantly with two rushing touchdowns, further solidifying the Hoosiers' dominance. Meanwhile, Oregon (13-2, ranked No. 5 in CFP) struggled due to three critical first-half turnovers and the absence of two key running backs. Initially, they had Noah Whittington, their leading rusher with 829 yards, sidelined due to an undisclosed injury, while Jordon Davison faced a collarbone injury and was already ruled out.
The Hoosiers took control of the game from the outset, with cornerback D'Angelo Ponds intercepting Oregon quarterback Dante Moore's first pass attempt, returning it 25 yards for a touchdown just 11 seconds into the game. Although Moore managed to tie the score with a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jamari Johnson, the remainder of the first half belonged to Indiana's explosive offense and defense.
After Mendoza connected with Omar Cooper Jr. for an 8-yard touchdown pass, Indiana never looked back, securing a 14-7 lead. Following a fumble by Moore that Indiana recovered at the Oregon 3-yard line, Black scored again to make it 21-7. Moore's second fumble, caused by Daniel Ndukwe, was recovered by Mario Landino, paving the way for Mendoza's scoring pass to Sarratt, which extended Indiana's lead to 35-7 before halftime.
In the second half, Mendoza threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to E.J. Williams Jr., pushing the Hoosiers' lead to 42-7. While Oregon attempted to respond with a 70-yard run from backup Jay Harris, who later scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown, it was too little too late. Indiana's special teams made a significant impact when Ndukwe blocked a punt, leading to Mendoza's second touchdown pass to Sarratt in the fourth quarter.
Following an undefeated regular season, Indiana has only gained momentum throughout the College Football Playoff, having previously dominated Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal. Mendoza's performance there included 192 passing yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his leading role in the Hoosiers' successful season.
In attendance for the game were honorary captains, including Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for Indiana and former Oregon and Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart for the Ducks. Notably, Indiana completed a season sweep against Oregon, having previously defeated them 30-20 on October 11 when Moore was intercepted twice and faced six sacks.
Indiana's fan support was overwhelmingly evident in Atlanta, with red-clad fans making up at least 80% of the 75,604 attendees at the sellout game, enhancing the home field advantage against Oregon.
