Peach Bowl Wrap and Reaction: No.1 Indiana 56 No.5 Oregon 22

Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers celebrate winning the Peach Bowl. Image: Jasper Owens, Hoosier Huddle Opponent: Oregon Ducks Location: Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Ducks played for a second time in the 2025 season as part of the CFP Semifinals at the Peach Bowl. What The Game Meant: The stakes were high and simple: the winner goes to the national championship game. Heartwork Brewing Players of the Game Offense Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana- The Heisman winner was surgical and may have had his best game to date throwing and running the ball (even though there were some scary moments). Mendoza went 17-20 for 177 yards and an IU postseason record five touchdowns. He has eight touchdown passes and five incompletions in the College Football Playoff. He used his legs well to get a few first downs on the ground and ran for 48 non-sack yards. “I would say that it was a great team effort. There was a lot of contested catches. Charlie Becker's touchdown, Elijah Sarratt, you know, making catches all over the field. Omar Cooper and EJ, they were getting open all game and to be able to throw with those guys, I'm like a point guard out there. I'm throwing to the open guy, and they shoot the threes.” Mendoza said after the game. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana- Seven targets, seven catches, 75 yards and two touchdowns. The Waffle House was open and delivering all night. His two contested catches where Duck defenders were draped all over him were two of the best in his Hoosier career. “We pride ourselves on being able to make those tough catches. We feel like even if someone is on us, we feel like we can make those catches, just because of the work we put into our practice.” Sarratt said after the game. Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon- Johnson had a really nice game for the Ducks that will get overshadowed by the Hoosiers’ performance. The Oregon tight end made four catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Defense D’Angelo Ponds, DB, Indiana- Ponds’ pick six on the first play of scrimmage blew the top off of Mercedes Benz Stadium. Ponds did everything for IU including catching a six yard pass for a first down. Opponents continue to test Ponds early and they usually are unsuccessful. As the IU coaches, especially Bryant Haines, say, Ponds is a different breed. “We play a lot of cover three. So coming out, I kind of knew it was a RPO type of deal. I played off, so I could break on the ball. Kind of read his eyes and got a jump on it. It was an amazing feeling walking into the end zone.” Ponds said. https://twitter.com/aaronhancock14/status/2009879041055096834?s=20 Daniel NDukwe, DL, Indiana- The Hoosiers have a unique characteristic of having the next man up being really good. After Stephen Daley was lost for the Playoffs, Daniel Ndukwe was that guy. Boy, did he deliver a great performance. Ndukwe had two sacks, forced a fumble and blocked a punt. Makial Kamara, DL, Indiana- Kamara may not have filled up the stat sheet, but he played his best game of the year. He made three tackles, had one for a loss and was constantly in Dontae Moore’s face. Unfortunately for him he was hurt late in the game. There was no update after the game, but IU now has nine days to prep for the national championship game. Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon- Boettcher is an impressive player and he can go pro in either football or baseball. He finished the game with 11 tackles, one for a loss and a pass break up. Indiana Special Teams Performance Indiana special teams set the tone on the opening kickoff with a bone crushing hit by freshman Byron Baldwin that will largely go overlooked because of what happened about 30 seconds later. Baldwin buried the returner on the 20-yard line and the rest was history and Oregon didn’t attempt another kickoff return as Quinn Warren booted seven touchbacks. (Copy and Paste) Nico Radicic was automatic on extra points hitting eight of them, an IU postseason record. Punter Mitch McCarthy had his best game as both of his punts pinned Oregon inside the 20-yard line. Then Daniel Ndukwe and the punt block unit got their hands on another kick this season. Key Stat(s) 21 IU scored 21 points off of three Oregon turnovers. Turning Point The obvious turning point is Ponds’ pick six, but this game was just an onslaught of body blows that turned what looked like maybe a shoot out into an absolute drubbing. The avalanche started when Oregon quarterback Dontae Moore lost control of the ball while trying to throw a pass and fumbled. It was recovered by Mario Landino and IU scored three plays later to make it 21-7. I Knew it Was Over When… This game was over when Fernando Mendoza dotted a 36-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker to make it 28-7. What I take away From the Game Indiana is going to the national championship game next Monday night against the Miami Hurricanes. Just let that sink in for a minute. While the national media picks their collective jaws off the ground and takes their foot out of their mouths, IU continues to do what they have done all year. They played their brand of football. They don’t make mistakes, they capitalize on the opponents’ mistakes and never, ever let up. Fernando Mendoza has been unbelievably good (and he won the Heisman) in the CFP. He’s completed 31-of-36 passes with five touchdown passes. His ball placement in the last two games has been the best we have seen from him all season. It would seem the pressure from the Heisman lead up is off and he is just balling out with his guys. He puts the football only where his guys can make the catch and they usually make the catch. The defense played extremely well, but did leave a few plays out there. It was really the first time all season they missed some tackles that led to big plays. Bryant Haines, who called a masterful game, had some regrets too. It sounds silly after a 56-22 dismantling, but that is the standard everyone is held to. That standard is the secret sauce for IU. The play that spoke the loudest to the standard and type of team this is was when Fernando Mendoza ran for about 25 yards before turning into a whirling dervish and fumbled. The crowd held their collective breath until Pat Coogan, yes the center and Rose Bowl MVP Pat Coogan, pounced on the loose ball, hopped up and gave a first down signal. I don’t think people realize what exactly that play says about this team. It may not be the top story, but that play shows what the foundation of this program is now built on. https://twitter.com/SpreadOffense/status/2009961238491754945?s=20 “That’s something we try to preach as coaches, finishing plays.” Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan said. “Usually whenever people are running to the ball, a lot of times people would say Indiana got lucky for making that play. But, if you play with great effort and finish through the whistle you have guys chasing the play. You kind of create your own luck.” There is always an element of luck in a game with an oblong shaped ball, but Indiana tilts the odds in their favor with their effort. The Hoosiers will have nine days (from publishing) to get ready to play Miami in Miami. While that may seem like a tall task, IU is ready. They’re always ready and that is the reason why they are just so damn good. What’s Next Indiana will play the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 19th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL.

Peach Bowl Wrap and Reaction: No.1 Indiana 56 No.5 Oregon 22

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