ATLANTA, Ga. — The Indiana Hoosiers delivered a stunning performance on January 9, 2026, crushing the Oregon Ducks 56-22 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl semifinal to secure their first-ever berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. The victory capped an undefeated 15-0 season, making Indiana only the fifth team in modern college football history to reach such a milestone. Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, threw five touchdown passes, showcasing a masterful command of the offense and cementing his status as a top prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft.
From the opening moments, Indiana’s dominance was clear. On Oregon’s very first snap, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted quarterback Bo Nix’s pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone just 11 seconds into the game. The Ducks struggled to recover, hampered further by three first-half turnovers and the absence of two top running backs. Indiana’s defense relentlessly pressured Oregon, forcing mistakes and limiting their scoring opportunities.
Head coach Curt Cignetti has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Hoosiers, transforming a program once mired in losing seasons into a national powerhouse. Indiana’s victory over Oregon, ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff standings, marks a historic milestone for the Big Ten program, which also secured its first outright conference title since 1945. The Hoosiers’ balanced attack featured Kaelon Black rushing for two touchdowns, complementing Mendoza’s aerial assault.
The game drew widespread attention across the sports world, with prominent analysts and former players expressing amazement at Indiana’s unprecedented season. Even Indiana Governor Mike Braun took to social media to celebrate the team’s success. The Hoosiers’ achievement places them in elite company alongside the few teams in history to complete a perfect 15-0 regular and postseason record, with a chance to become the first modern team to finish 16-0.
Indiana’s path to the championship game is chronicled by the College Football Playoff, an organization that oversees the postseason structure designed to crown a national champion. The Peach Bowl, hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, is one of the CFP’s semifinal venues, rotating annually among major bowl games. The Hoosiers’ next challenge will be to face the winner of the other semifinal, vying for the ultimate prize in college football.
For more on the College Football Playoff and upcoming championship details, visit the official College Football Playoff website. To explore the history and records of undefeated teams, the NCAA Football Records provide comprehensive archives. Fans interested in the Big Ten’s resurgence can find information at the Big Ten Conference official site. Meanwhile, the Indiana Governor’s Office has issued statements celebrating the Hoosiers’ historic season.
As the Hoosiers prepare for their first national championship appearance, the college football landscape watches closely to see if this remarkable team can cap off a perfect season and etch their name in the annals of sports history.
