ATLANTA — Undefeated Indiana’s already remarkable journey through the College Football Playoff gained traction as its formidable defense produced three first-half touchdowns off turnovers, Fernando Mendoza tossed five touchdown passes, and the Hoosiers crushed No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal on Friday night.
No. 1 Indiana (15-0, No. 1 CFP) will meet No. 10 Miami on Jan. 19 for the national championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami triumphed over Ole Miss 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday night.
Indiana aims to secure the Big Ten’s third consecutive national title, following Ohio State and Michigan in the last two seasons. Few teams from any conference can rival the Hoosiers’ season-long exhibition of balanced, strong performance.
Kaelon Black rushed for two touchdowns to spearhead the Indiana ground game.
Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) was hampered by three first-half turnovers and the absence of two key running backs.
The Hoosiers commanded a 35-7 lead at halftime while the Ducks managed only 9 rushing yards on 17 carries. Noah Whittington, Oregon’s leading rusher with 829 yards, sat out due to an undisclosed injury, while Jordon Davison, who had 667 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, was already out with a collarbone injury.
Backup running backs, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr., provided insufficient support for quarterback Dante Moore. Facing Indiana’s suffocating defense would have been a challenge even with a full arsenal.
Indiana’s defense wasted no time in asserting itself. On Oregon’s first play, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted a pass from Moore intended for Malik Benson and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Just 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers had already signaled that it would be a long night for Moore and the Oregon offense.
The rest of the half was dominated by Indiana and its dynamic defense.
After Mendoza’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. gave the Hoosiers an unassailable 14-7 lead, Indiana’s defense forced a turnover when Moore fumbled and the Hoosiers recovered at the Oregon 3, leading to Black’s touchdown run.
Moore lost another fumble later in the second quarter when hit by Daniel Ndukwe, and Mario Landino recovered at the Oregon 21. Mendoza’s first touchdown pass to Sarratt put the Hoosiers ahead 35-7.
Indiana widened its lead to 42-7 with Mendoza’s 13-yard touchdown pass to E.J. Williams Jr.
Oregon finally responded with a 70-yard run by Hill setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Harris.
Indiana’s special teams contributed significantly in the fourth quarter when Ndukwe’s blocked punt set up Mendoza’s second scoring throw to Sarratt.
After their perfect regular season, the Hoosiers have only gained momentum in the CFP. Indiana overwhelmed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal as Mendoza threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
