Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes as No. 1 Indiana defeated No. 5 Oregon 56–22 in the Peach Bowl on January 9, 2026, advancing to the College Football Playoff national championship game. Dante Moore threw for 108 more yards than Mendoza, but Indiana returned his first pass for a touchdown and turned two second-quarter fumbles into 14 more points.
Indiana vs. Oregon player stats and final score
Final score: Indiana 56, Oregon 22
Game: January 9, 2026 | 2025 season College Football Playoff semifinal
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Records after the game: Indiana 15–0, Oregon 13–2.
| Player | Team | Peach Bowl stats |
|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | 17-of-20 passing, 177 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs |
| Dante Moore | Oregon | 24-of-39 passing, 285 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Kaelon Black | Indiana | 12 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs |
| Roman Hemby | Indiana | 17 carries, 53 yards |
| Dierre Hill Jr. | Oregon | 5 carries, 86 yards, including a 71-yard run |
| Jay Harris | Oregon | 16 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD |
| Elijah Sarratt | Indiana | 7 catches, 75 yards, 2 TDs |
| Charlie Becker | Indiana | 2 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD |
| Jamari Johnson | Oregon | 4 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD |
| Jeremiah McClellan | Oregon | 5 catches, 64 yards |
| D’Angelo Ponds | Indiana | 25-yard interception return for a TD |
Player totals come from the official Peach Bowl box score.
Three Oregon turnovers changed the first half
Indiana took the lead 11 seconds into the game. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Moore on the opening snap and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Oregon answered with a 14-play, 75-yard drive capped by Moore’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson. Indiana then put together its own 75-yard drive, and Mendoza found Omar Cooper Jr. from eight yards out to make it 14–7 late in the first quarter.
The game broke open in the second quarter. An Oregon fumble gave Indiana the ball at the Ducks’ 3-yard line, and Kaelon Black finished the short drive with a 1-yard touchdown. Mendoza later hit Charlie Becker for a 36-yard score to make it 28–7. On Oregon’s next possession, Daniel Ndukwe sacked Moore and forced a fumble that Mario Landino recovered at the Oregon 21. Mendoza found Elijah Sarratt for a 2-yard touchdown with 59 seconds left in the half, sending Indiana into the break up 35–7.
The three takeaways produced 21 points. Ponds scored directly, and the offense needed only 24 combined yards to cash in the two fumble recoveries. Those short fields help explain how Indiana built a four-touchdown halftime lead despite finishing the game with fewer total yards than Oregon.
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Mendoza’s five touchdowns tell the story better than his yardage
Mendoza completed 85% of his passes and threw five touchdowns against just three incompletions. Four Indiana receivers caught scoring passes. Sarratt scored twice, while Becker, Cooper and E.J. Williams Jr. each caught one. Sarratt was Mendoza’s most productive target with seven catches, and his two touchdowns came from two and three yards out. Becker’s 36-yard score showed how quickly Indiana could strike from farther out.
Indiana also converted 11 of 14 third downs and rushed for 185 yards on 40 attempts. Hemby handled a team-high 17 carries, while Black scored from one yard out in the second quarter and from 23 yards out in the fourth. The Hoosiers could sustain long possessions and finish short ones, leaving Oregon few chances to get the ball back without conceding points.
How Oregon gained more yards and lost by 34
Oregon outgained Indiana 378–362 and recorded 20 first downs to Indiana’s 18. Johnson led all receivers with 83 yards, McClellan added 64, and Hill had the game’s longest run at 71 yards. The Ducks moved the ball, but the yardage totals leave out the pick-six and the field position Indiana gained from the two fumble recoveries.
Special teams widened the gap in the fourth quarter. Ndukwe blocked a punt, and Kaiden Turner’s recovery and return gave Indiana the ball at Oregon’s 7-yard line. Three plays later, Mendoza found Sarratt for his fifth touchdown pass, putting Indiana ahead 49–15. The blocked punt gave the Hoosiers another scoring possession that barely registered in their offensive yardage.
What the Peach Bowl result meant
The semifinal was the second Indiana–Oregon meeting of the 2025 season. Indiana had already won 30–20 in Eugene on October 11, 2025. The Peach Bowl rematch ended Oregon’s season at 13–2 and sent Indiana to the national championship game, where the Hoosiers beat Miami 27–21 on January 19 to finish 16–0.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Peach Bowl the latest Indiana vs. Oregon football game?
Yes. The January 9, 2026, Peach Bowl was the latest completed meeting as of November 4, 2026. Neither team’s published 2026 regular-season schedule includes the other.
Who earned Peach Bowl player-of-the-game honors?
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the offensive player of the game, and Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds took the defensive honor.
Who scored Oregon’s three touchdowns?
Jamari Johnson and Roger Saleapaga caught touchdown passes from Dante Moore, and Jay Harris scored on the ground.
Who led the game in rushing yards?
Oregon’s Dierre Hill Jr. led all rushers with 86 yards on five carries. Kaelon Black led Indiana with 63 yards and scored twice.
Conclusion
Mendoza’s five touchdown passes finished the work Indiana started with its first snap on defense. The next time these programs meet, watch how Oregon handles pressure and whether it can get Indiana off the field on third down. Follow our college football coverage for more box-score breakdowns and game analysis.
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