Indiana routs Oregon in Peach Bowl to advance to national title game vs. Miami

Indiana could not have advanced to the national championship game in a more dominating fashion.

The undefeated No. 1 Hoosiers scored on the first play of the game on the way to a 35-7 halftime lead in their 56-22 destruction of No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl. Indiana will now play No. 10 Miami on Jan. 19 in Miami for the national title.

Indiana (15-0) got that first touchdown despite not receiving the opening kickoff. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds read Oregon QB Dante Moore’s eyes perfectly and intercepted Moore’s first-down pass for a 25-yard pick-6.

 To Oregon’s credit, the Ducks (13-2) responded with a 14-play, 75-yard drive on their next possession to tie the game at 7-7. But the drama ended after that, thanks to two fumbles by Moore.

The first wasn’t his fault. As Indiana led 14-7 and Oregon took over at its own 13-yard line following a Hoosiers punt, running back Dierre Hill Jr. faked taking a handoff from Moore. As Moore went to throw on the run-pass option play, the ball hit Hill’s shoulder as Moore started to throw. The ball popped in the air before Mario Landino recovered it at the Oregon 3-yard line.