The Indiana Hoosiers looked every bit like the nation’s top-ranked team Friday night, racing past Oregon Ducks for a stunning 35-7 halftime lead in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The Hoosiers struck immediately. On the first play from scrimmage, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was intercepted by D'Angelo Ponds, who returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown to ignite Indiana’s fast start.
Oregon briefly answered with a long 14-play, 75-yard drive that took 7:38, capped by Moore’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson. From there, it was all Indiana.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza continued his remarkable postseason run, completing 10 of 11 passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns before halftime. Calm and surgical, Mendoza repeatedly carved up the Ducks’ secondary as Indiana scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives.
Indiana’s dominance extended beyond the passing game. The Hoosiers controlled the line of scrimmage, winning time of possession and consistently pushing Oregon backward with their physicality and tempo.
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Moore was 9 of 14 for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but Oregon struggled to sustain drives after its lone score. Indiana, which beat Oregon 30-20 in October at Eugene, looked intent on making this rematch far more decisive.
With a spot in the national championship game on the line, the Hoosiers delivered a near-flawless first half on college football’s biggest stage.
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