The tone for the semifinal clash was set before many of the 75,604 fans had even reached their seats. On the game’s opening snap, Indiana defensive back D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. The "pick-six" occurred just 11 seconds into the contest, delivering a psychological blow from which the Ducks never truly recovered. While Oregon briefly showed signs of life when Moore connected with Jamari Johnson for a 19-yard touchdown to equalize, the momentum quickly swung back to Indiana and remained there for the duration of the afternoon.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza orchestrated a masterful offensive display, dissecting the Oregon secondary with surgical efficiency. Mendoza completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns, distributing the ball to a versatile corps of playmakers. Elijah Sarrat emerged as a primary target, hauling in seven receptions for 75 yards and two scores, while Omar Cooper Jr., Charlie Becker, and E.J. Williams Jr. all found the end zone. The Hoosiers' ground game was equally devastating, led by Kaelon Black’s two rushing touchdowns and supported by the tandem of Roman Hemby and Khobie Martin, who consistently exploited gaps in the Oregon front.
Oregon’s aspirations were further hampered by the absence of star running backs Jordan Davison and Noah Whittington due to injury, leaving Moore to shoulder a burden he could not sustain. Under relentless pressure from a defensive unit Cignetti affectionately dubbed the "Red Sea," Moore fumbled twice following a strip-sack by Daniel Ndukwe, with Mario Landino recovering the loose ball to stifle any hopes of a comeback. Following the game, Oregon coach Dan Lanning conceded that the early interception disrupted their entire strategic framework, forcing the Ducks into a reactive mode they could not escape against such a disciplined opponent.
As the sea of cream and crimson celebrated in Atlanta, the focus shifted immediately to the looming grand finale in Miami. The Hoosiers are now set to face the Miami Hurricanes and quarterback Carson Beck in a high-stakes showdown for the national title. This victory serves as a definitive statement for Indiana University; it is no longer just a basketball school but a legitimate football titan. The journey from a struggling program to an undefeated finalist represents one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the history of the sport, setting the stage for a historic conclusion to an unprecedented season.
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