Top seed Indiana embarrass Oregon 56-22 to advance to National Championship

Indiana's  Elijah Sarratt (left) and Fernando Mendoza (right) celebrate win over Oregon in College Football Playoff
Indiana's Elijah Sarratt (left) and Fernando Mendoza (right) celebrate win over Oregon in College Football PlayoffJonathan Bachman/Getty Images

The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Oregon Ducks 56-22 during Friday’s College Football Playoff semifinals matchup to advance to the National Championship.

Indiana's 56 points are the second-most ever in Peach Bowl history - 2019 LSU Tigers put up 63.

They'll be taking on No. 10 Miami in the big game on Monday, January 19th, after they defeated No. 6 Ole Miss 31-27 on Thursday.

The game will be played in Miami's backyard at Hard Rock Cafe Stadium.

Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza finished the game with 205 total yards and five passing touchdowns, completing 17-of-20 passes.

The Hoosiers finished with 186 rushing yards with 63 from Kaelon Black (12 carries), 53 from Roman Hemby (17 carries), 42 from Khobie Martin (four carries), and 28 from Mendoza (six carries).

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore finished with 284 passing yards with one touchdown, one interception, and one fumble.

Indiana forced three turnovers, three punts, and two turnover-on-downs. 

First half

On the very first play of the game, Moore threw a pick-six to Indiana defensive back D'Angelo Ponds, going up 7-0 after just eight seconds into the game.

The No. 1 team in the nation wanted to show everyone right away why they're undefeated this season.

But Oregon wouldn't let the mistake phase them. They would go down the field on 14 plays for 75 yards, taking up 7:38 of clock, to tie things up 7-7. 

Moore would toss a 19-yard touchdown to tight end Jamari Johnson for his first reception of the night. 

Indiana responded with a big 75-yard drive of their own to retake the lead 14-7. 

After running back Roman Hemby became just the 20th running back in Indiana history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a single season, quarterback Fernando Mendoza would cap off their first offensive drive of the game with an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for his first catch of the night. 

Mendoza went a perfect 4-for-4 passing for 41 yards on the drive. 

Moore would turn the ball over for the second time of the game almost near his own goal line after the ball hit off his teammate's shoulder pad when he wound up for a pass, leaving Indiana to take a commanding 21-7 lead in the second quarter.

Indiana would put up three runs for three yards, ending with a Kaelon Black touchdown. 

For added insurance, Indiana would score their fourth touchdown before the end of the first half with a perfect 36-yard throw to wide receiver Charlie Becker to go up 28-7. 

Indiana would force yet another turnover on the following drive after defensive lineman Daniel Ndukew would force Moore to fumble on his second sack of the game, giving the Hoosiers great field position once more. 

Mendoza would throw his third touchdown of the game with a two-yarder to wide receiver Elijah Saratoga, going into the second half up a jaw-dropping 35-7.

Second half

The third quarter only saw a score from each team, with the first coming from Indiana after Mendoza tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass, his fourth, to wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. for his first reception of the game.

Medonza became just the fourth quarterback in Big Ten conference history to have at least 40 passing touchdowns in a season. The other three? All Ohio State alumni: Dwayne Haskins (50 in 2018), Justin Fields (41 in 2019), and C.J. Stroud twice (44 in 2021, 41 in 2023). 

Oregon would finally find paydirt for the second time in the game after running back Jay Harris punched it in for a two-yard touchdown following a 71-yard run from Dierre Hill Jr.

The Ducks would complete the two-point conversion to make it 42-15.

Indiana would get yet another short-field chance after the Hoosiers' special teams would block an Oregon punt to put the offence on the Ducks' seven yard line. 

In just three plays, Indiana would continue to pile it on, making it 49-15 with Mendoza's fifth touchdown pass of the game to Sarratt, who recorded his second.

After forcing Oregon to turn the ball over on downs, Indiana would drive down the field yet again to score their eighth touchdown of the game with a 23-yard run from Black, his second of the evening. 

In 10 offensive drives, Indiana punted three times and scored a touchdown seven times. 

Oregon would still continue to fight to the bitter end, scoring a touchdown with 22 seconds left in the game. 

Moore would toss a 19-yarder to Jamari Johnson, which would be his first of the season and the last one of Oregon's as they were eliminated from the playoffs.

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