Indiana advances to the National Championship with a blowout win over the Oregon Ducks
Entering today, Curt Cignetti was the only coach in college football history to have survived a first round bye in the College Football Playoff to advance to the Semifinals. Today, Cignetti became the first coach to win a rematch against a power conference opponent in the College Football Playoff.
On the first play from scrimmage, D’Angelo Ponds jumped a short route from Dante Moore for an interception that he returned 25 yards for a touchdown. The Ducks tied it on the following drive, but that was as close as things got for the rest of the night.
Heisman in hand, Fernando Mendoza put on a master class, completing 17 of his 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns. Elijah Sarratt was his favorite target, catching passes early and often to move the chains in the first half. Sarratt ended the night with seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
After surrendering a touchdown and looking a little listless on the second drive, Bryant Haines unit did its part in the first half to put up a lopsided score, forcing two fumbles, two punts, and a missed field goal in the second quarter.
The Ducks showed a little fight in the third quarter, cashing in on a two-play, 75-yard drive that was mostly just one big Dierre Hill Jr. run for 71 yards. On the following four drives, Oregon would punt twice and turn it over on downs twice.
Following such a dominant performance, Indiana will likely enter the National Championship against Miami as heavy favorites. A couple of Hoosier players, including Mikail Kamara, left the game with seemingly minor injuries, but their absence next Monday will be felt if Indiana has to go any deeper in the depth chart.
Category: General Sports
