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The 2025 Indiana Hoosiers became the fifth team in modern college football history to go 15-0. They now become the first team in the modern era to go 16-0, and only the second all-time, joining the 1894 Yale team that played in leather helmets.
With a 56-22 drubbing of Oregon in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to their first national championship game appearance in program history.
Head coach Curt Cignetti left the college football world in awe of the incredible turnaround of the Hoosiers program, from one of the Big 10’s worst teams to one of the most powerful in one season.
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Elijah Sarratt #13 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by Ify Obidegwu #7 of the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Many sports figures took to social media to express their surprise at Indiana’s unprecedented dominance during and after their win over Oregon. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also chimed in.
Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, threw five touchdown passes, improving his offense to become a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Kaelon Black ran for two touchdowns to lead Indiana’s running game.
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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by Aaron Flowers #21 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) was thrown by three first-half scores while also being pushed by the absence of its top two runners.
Indiana’s defense didn’t wait long to make an impact. On Oregon’s first play, linebacker D’Angelo Ponds intercepted a Moore pass intended for Malik Benson and returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. Just 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers and their defense had made a statement that this was going to be a long night for Moore and the Oregon offense.
Moore’s 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jamari Johnson tied the game. The rest belonged to Indiana and its big-play defense.
After Mendoza called Omar Cooper Jr. 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. giving the Hoosiers a 14-7 lead, Indiana’s defense forced a Moore fumble and Indiana recovered at the Oregon 3, setting up Black’s scoring drive.
Moore lost a second fumble later in the second quarter there scored by Daniel Ndukwe and Mario Landino recovered at the Oregon 21. Mendoza’s first pass to Sarratt gave the Hoosiers a 35-7 lead.
Indiana extended its lead to 42-7 on Mendoza’s 13-point pass to EJ Williams Jr.
Oregon finally responded. A 70-yard run by Hill set up a 2-yard score run by Harris.
The Hoosiers led 35-7 at halftime as the Ducks were held to nine rushing yards on 17 carries. Noah Whittington, who leads Oregon with 829 rushing yards, was held down with an undisclosed injury after Jordon Davison, who had rushed for 667 yards and 15 touchdowns, already listed as out with a collarbone injury.
The backup, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr, provided very little help to quarterback Dante Moore. Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense was going to be difficult even with all his weapons.
Following their undefeated regular season, the Hoosiers received a boost from the CFP alone. In Indiana beat Alabama 38-3 in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl as Mendoza passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Now, the Hoosiers will prepare to face Miami on Jan. 19 in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Miami beat Mississippi 31-27 in the semifinals of the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night.
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Roman Hemby #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs out of bounds before the end zone against the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Indiana will try to give the Big Ten its third straight national title, following Ohio State and Michigan the past two seasons. Few teams from any conference can match the Hoosiers’ season-long display of solid, balanced play.
The world will be watching to see if this unprecedented team can finish the job and really put their ticket in the history books.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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