The Indiana Hoosiers are making history once again. Fresh off a dominant 38-3 win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, Indiana one-upped itself with another commanding postseason performance, cruising past the Oregon Ducks 56 to 22 in the 2026 Peach Bowl. It was a showcase on all fronts, but the story of the night centered on the Hoosier offense and the artistry of 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
“He continues to amaze me,” wide receiver Jonathan Brady said postgame. “I been seeing it at Cal, but it’s just crazy to see it man. He’s a dog. He puts in the work, he definitely deserves everything coming his way. I don’t think people understand how much he watches film and is on top of everything. And I love that guy. I’m so happy for him, that’s my brother.”
Mendoza was razor sharp against the Ducks. Beating a talented opponent twice in the same season can be a tall task, but Mendoza made it look effortless. He completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns, adding 28 yards on the ground for good measure. Oregon never found an answer for him. Every drive felt scripted for perfection and every throw landed exactly where it needed to. Each of Indiana’s top four receivers found the end zone. Elijah Sarratt hauled in two scores, while Omar Cooper, Charlie Becker, and EJ Williams Jr. each reeled in one. In the first half alone, Mendoza went 10 of 11 for 110 yards and three touchdowns, a rhythm Oregon never disrupted.
Fernando Mendoza has been an outstanding player from the moment he arrived in Bloomington, and no one understands that better than the guys who have been with him the longest. Jonathan Brady shared a season with Mendoza at Cal in 2024 and made the leap with him to Indiana this year, calling the quarterback a brother. Charlie Becker, Mendoza’s roommate, echoed that bond, describing a teammate who elevates the people around him.
“He’s the hardest worker,” Becker said after the Peach Bowl. “He has a great character, and everyone wants to be around him because he makes everyone a happier and better person. He’s such a lively, energetic [person] aside from football. He’s a dog at football, but he’s my roommate, we watch movies. He’s such a great person and he’s a friend that you want to have.”
Becker laughed while adding that the two are huge Star Wars fans. The quarterback may play with ice in his veins on Saturdays, but off the field, he is warm, goofy, and deeply loyal. Mendoza is everything you could want in a quarterback and, more importantly, everything you could want in a teammate.
While Mendoza looked masterful in his rematch against Oregon, his journey to Atlanta has been defined by growth. He credits Curt Cignetti and the Indiana staff for helping him reshape how he approaches the game and where he fits within the offense.
“I’ve came a long way from being here in January. Game one I threw zero touchdown passes. I was trying to be superman,” Mendoza said. “My job is to be effective with making really accurate balls and really great decisions, and that’s what I pride myself on every single play. So, I’m glad those results have came. However, none of that matters. All that matters, right now, is the National Championship.”
The Peach Bowl marked his third meeting against Oregon’s Dante Moore and Mendoza walked away undefeated once again. Indiana will savor the win briefly before turning the page. The Hoosiers are headed to their first National Championship game in school history, where they will face Miami in a setting that offers a poetic twist. Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Hurricanes, will host the title game. For Mendoza, a Miami native, it will mark the first college game he has ever played in his hometown, as well as a chance to avenge a near-upset from his Cal days when the Bears fell 39-38 to eighth-ranked Miami in 2024.
It promises to be a fascinating matchup and one more chapter in a season that has completely transformed Indiana football. Hoosier nation is beyond grateful for what Curt Cignetti has built in such a short time, turning a long-struggling program into a national contender that believes anything is possible.