Peachy Night in Atlanta: Indiana Destroys Oregon 56–22, Storms Into National Championship Game

Pick-sixes, blocked punts, and a flawless playoff run propel undefeated Hoosiers past Oregon in a Peach Bowl rout at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

ATLANTA | What unfolded Friday night inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium was not just a College Football Playoff semifinal. It was a statement.

The Indiana Hoosiers delivered a 56–22 demolition of the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl, punctuating an unprecedented postseason surge that has Indiana playing the most dominant football in the country.

From the opening seconds, this game tilted sharply in cream and crimson.

Eleven seconds into the contest, All-American defensive back D’Angelo Ponds jumped a read, intercepted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, and raced untouched for a pick-six that detonated the stadium and stunned the Ducks.

Moments earlier, All-America linebacker Aiden Fisher had been prowling the field with a visible edge, setting a physical tone that would define the night. Oregon never recovered.

The Hoosiers’ dominance wasn’t limited to star power. Thirty-four minutes in, All-Big Ten center Pat Coogan alertly recovered a fumble after quarterback Fernando Mendoza scrambled 18 yards. That recovery set up a third-quarter touchdown pass to E.J. Williams Jr., effectively ending Oregon’s last gasp.

Later, reserve defensive tackle Daniel Ndukwe — pressed into action after a season-ending injury — blocked a punt that directly led to another Indiana touchdown. Ndukwe finished with two sacks, a forced fumble, and the blocked punt, embodying the Hoosiers’ relentless depth.

While the defense overwhelmed Oregon, Mendoza delivered a clinic in efficiency. The junior finished 17-for-20 for 177 yards, throwing five touchdowns without an interception. Across playoff wins over Alabama and Oregon, Mendoza now boasts eight touchdown passes, zero picks, and just five incompletions.

Indiana outscored Alabama and Oregon a combined 94–25, a statistic that underscores the Hoosiers’ jaw-dropping playoff run and their transformation from perceived underdog to national juggernaut.

“All that matters is the national championship,” Mendoza said afterward, channeling the quiet confidence that has come to define Indiana’s postseason.

Head coach Curt Cignetti credited preparation and belief for the program’s meteoric rise.

“It started with Ponds’ pick-six,” Cignetti said. “We created turnovers and capitalized on defense. When you have good people who buy in and prepare the right way, special things happen.”

Indiana entered the CFP with the lowest team talent composite among semifinalists, ranking No. 72 nationally per recruiting metrics. Oregon, stocked by four straight top-15 classes, ranked No. 5.

Friday night made those numbers irrelevant.

Hoosier Nation turned Atlanta into a home game. Crowd estimates suggested over 90 percent of Indiana fans, fueled by one of the largest alumni bases in the nation. The deafening environment forced Oregon into silent counts and contributed to three Duck turnovers.

The electric atmosphere included appearances from honorary captain Kyle Schwarber and IU alumnus Mark Cuban, further amplifying the moment.

“All credit to Indiana,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said. “They started fast and never slowed down. They’re a complete team.”

Indiana (15-0) now advances to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 19, where it will face the Miami Hurricanes (13-2).

For Mendoza — a Miami native who grew up blocks from campus — the matchup carries personal meaning, but the message remains simple.

“We’re going to play Indiana Hoosiers football,” he said. “Nothing out of character.”

After a Peach Bowl performance for the ages, that brand of football looks nearly unbeatable.

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-- By Masakela Rawls 

James Wright and Jasmine Thomas contributed to this report

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