Indiana Hoosiers just punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship game with a blowout win over the Oregon Ducks. Since Coach Curt Cignetti showed up, Indiana’s been pretty much untouchable—outscoring opponents by almost 29 points per game since 2024.
Their latest beatdown, a 56-22 rout of Oregon at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, makes it clear: Indiana is the team everyone’s chasing. Now sitting at a perfect 15-0, the Hoosiers are set to face Miami in the national championship. For quarterback Fernando Mendoza, that’s a matchup with some extra meaning.
Indiana’s Unstoppable Journey
When Curt Cignetti took over, Indiana flipped the script and became a college football powerhouse. They lead the nation in points margin, which really says it all about their offense and defense.
Their playoff run has been a string of lopsided wins, and the Oregon game was no exception.
Defensive Masterclass
Indiana’s defense set the tone right away. On the first play, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds picked off Oregon’s Dante Moore and ran it back for a touchdown.
- D’Angelo Ponds – Intercepted a pass and scored a touchdown on the first play
- Daniel Ndukwe – Forced a fumble that led to another Indiana touchdown
- Bryant Haines – Defensive coordinator who orchestrated the shut-down defense
After that, Indiana’s defense just kept coming. They forced turnover after turnover, and Oregon’s quarterback Dante Moore couldn’t catch a break, coughing up three in the first half.
Indiana built a huge lead early, and honestly, the game felt over before halftime.
Offensive Efficiency
The defense did their job, but Indiana’s offense was just as sharp. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza was nearly perfect, hitting 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns.
- Fernando Mendoza – Completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns
- Charlie Becker – Key wide receiver who contributed to the offensive onslaught
Mendoza’s been lights out in the CFP—eight touchdowns in two games, no interceptions. He’s cool under pressure and just keeps making the right plays.
When the defense gives him the ball, he finds a way to turn it into points. That’s been their formula, and it’s working.
Looking Ahead: The National Championship
With the win over Oregon, Indiana’s got a date with Miami for the national title. DraftKings Sportsbook has them as 7.5-point favorites, but nothing’s a given in a game like this.
The championship will be at Hard Rock Stadium, which just happens to be Miami’s home turf. That’s going to add some spice.
Fernando Mendoza’s Homecoming
For Mendoza, this isn’t just any game. He grew up in Miami and went to Christopher Columbus High School—the same place Miami’s head coach Mario Cristobal attended.
- Home Field Advantage – Miami will be playing on their home field, Hard Rock Stadium
- Personal Connection – Mendoza attended the same high school as Miami’s head coach
His family and friends—most of them Miami fans, no less—will be in the stands. That’s a lot to take in, but Mendoza insists he’s locked in on just one thing: winning it all.
The Road to Glory
Indiana’s run to the championship has been wild. They’ve crushed top teams like Alabama and Oregon, outscoring them 94-25 combined.
- Victories Over Top Teams – Indiana has defeated Alabama and Oregon by a combined score of 94-25
- Coach Curt Cignetti – Improved to 26-2 as Indiana’s head coach
Coach Cignetti deserves a lot of credit. He’s built a culture where the team expects to win—and they do, usually in convincing fashion.
There’s something about the way this group keeps its cool, even when the stakes get high. Maybe that’s what makes them so tough to beat.
Conclusion
Indiana’s run to the national championship game? It’s been something else. A perfect 15-0 record—hard to argue with that.
The Hoosiers have just rolled over opponents, showing real grit and confidence. With Miami up next, everyone’s watching Fernando Mendoza, who’s about to play in front of a home crowd.
Feels like the season could end with fireworks. Indiana’s got a chance to grab history, and you can sense they’re not backing down now.
For more details and the latest on Indiana’s push for the title, check out the full article on ESPN.
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