Indiana routs Oregon to advance to College Football Playoff championship

The Indiana Hoosiers advanced to the College Football Playoff national championship with a decisive 56-22 victory over Oregon. The game, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, saw Indiana capitalize on Oregon's early mistakes, including a first-play interception returned for a touchdown by D'Angelo Ponds. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered a standout performance, completing 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns. The win marks a significant achievement for Indiana, who will face Miami in the championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on January 19.

Indiana's rise under coach Curt Cignetti, who transformed the historically struggling program, sets the stage for their first national-title game. The Hoosiers, now 15-0, previously defeated top teams like Ohio State and Alabama. Oregon's Dante Moore struggled with turnovers, contributing to the Ducks' defeat. The upcoming championship game offers Mendoza a chance to win both the Heisman Trophy and a national title