Image: Jasper Owens, Hoosier Huddle
Written by: TJ Inman
Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers responded by blasting the Oregon Ducks. The 56-22 win advances IU to 15-0 and they advance to a date with the Miami Hurricanes in Hard Rock Stadium with the College Football National Championship on the line. While the game will be played in Miami’s home stadium, you can bet there will be plenty of red-clad fans in attendance as the team tries to win IU’s first college football title.
Oregon began with the ball but quarterback Dante Moore made a critical mistake on the very first play from scrimmage as he tossed an out route in the direction of All-American cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Ponds read the play perfectly, cut in front of the intended receiver and took the pass the other way for an IU touchdown as Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted with thunderous roars. Just 11 seconds into the contest and Indiana was ahead 7-0.
The Oregon Ducks responded impressively, driving 75 yards on 14 plays and keeping IU’s defense off-balance. Dante Moore opened the scoring for the Ducks with a touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson to even the game. Indiana’s offense finally got on the field and answered the bell with a response of their own. Elijah Sarratt sparked the drive with a wonderful back-shoulder reception for a first down and IU marched 75 yards in 11 plays and taking the lead with a Fernando Mendoza touchdown pass to Omar Cooper.
The squads traded punts and then Oregon took over at the 13-yard line and then made their second critical mistake. Dante Moore hit his running back while beginning his throwing motion and the ball fell to the turf. IU’s Mario Landino was the first to the ball and the Hoosiers took over at the Oregon three-yard line. Three plays later, Kaelon Black burst into the end zone and Indiana took a commanding 21-7 lead. Oregon’s offense went three and out and offensive coordinator went for the throat with four straight passes that ended with a Charlie Becker touchdown catch to make it 28-7.
Daniel Ndukwe continued to impress as Bryant Haines’ defense ratcheted up the pressure and Ndukwe sacked Moore and forced another fumble that was again recovered by Mario Landino, setting IU’s offense up in Oregon territory. The Hoosiers struck with a Mendoza touchdown to Elijah Sarratt to push the score to 35-7 and Atticus Sappington was short on a field goal attempt to close the first half. The Hoosiers only outgained Oregon 175-121 in the first 30 minutes but the Ducks’ three turnovers turned into 21 Indiana points.
Indiana’s offense picked up the second half exactly how they closed the first 30 minutes and methodically picked apart the Oregon defense on a 75-yard drive. Fernando Mendoza stayed razor sharp and connected with E.J. Williams for yet another touchdown and made the score 42-7 as they drained more than six minutes off the clock. Oregon refused to quit and fought back with a nice drive that ended with a Jay Harris touchdown run and a two-point conversion reception for Jamari Johnson to cut the deficit to 42-15.
IU had to punt after a couple of first downs and Oregon moved into IU territory but Aiden Fisher led a charge that halted their drive on fourth and short, ending the third quarter. A blatant pass interference penalty was not called on a third down pass for IU and the Hoosiers had to punt the ball back to Oregon. The Hoosiers forced a three and out and Daniel Ndukwe continued his huge night with a blocked punt that was recovered by Indiana. The offense again took advantage of the great field position as Fernando Mendoza threw his fifth touchdown pass of the night and his second to Elijah Sarratt to extend the lead to 49-15.
Oregon turned the ball over on downs and the Hoosiers ran it down their throat with Khobie Martin before Kaelon Black surged for a 23-yard touchdown and another exclamation point on the blowout victory. Oregon scored a consolation touchdown with less than 30 seconds remaining to close the scoring.
Fernando Mendoza was surgical, completing 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards with five touchdown passes. Elijah Sarratt led the way with two scores and 75 yards while Omar Cooper, Charlie Becker and E.J. Williams all added one touchdown each. The Indiana defense harassed Dante Moore all night and forced him into three turnovers (two fumbles lost and an interception). Oregon outgained Indiana 378-363 but that number is incredibly deceiving as Indiana was superior in every facet of the contest.