Indiana defensive stats vs. Oregon: Hoosiers pass rush manhandles Ducks for second time this season

Indiana defensive stats vs. Oregon: Hoosiers pass rush manhandles Ducks for second time this season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Indiana Hoosiers’ trip to the National Championship was not driven solely by a spectacular offense, but cemented by a defensive performance against the No. 5 Oregon Ducks that was nothing short of historic.

Head coach Curt Cignetti, in just his second season, has molded a unit defined by chaos and commitment, and that identity was on full display in the College Football Playoff semifinal. The dominance began on the very first play from scrimmage, when star corner D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and returned it for an electrifying pick-six, immediately setting a tone of physical and mental superiority the Ducks could not overcome.

That lightning strike was only the start of a smothering effort. Under Cignetti’s aggressive scheme, the Hoosiers’ defense forced three first-half turnovers and held Oregon’s usually potent rushing attack under 100 yards for the game. The unit consistently pressured the quarterback, forced errant throws, and prevented the Ducks from establishing any offensive rhythm after the opening score. Indiana’s defense served as the foundation for the record-setting scoring output, sending a clear message: the Hoosiers are a complete, championship-caliber team one win away from their first-ever national title.

Here’s more on the Hoosiers’ elite performance.

MORE: Indiana hands Oregon historic beatdown to advance to national title game

Indiana defense stats against Oregon

Fresh off a three-point performance against Alabama, the Hoosiers' defense delivered a masterful and historic performance against the Ducks in the CFP semifinal, completely neutralizing one of the nation's top offenses.

The defense, set the tone for the entire game on the very first play from scrimmage: star corner D'Angelo Ponds intercepted quarterback Dante Moore for an electrifying pick-six, stunning Oregon and giving Indiana a lead they would never relinquish. This immediate turnover and score established the fierce mental and physical superiority the Hoosiers would maintain all night.

D'ANGELO PONDS PICK SIX ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME 😱pic.twitter.com/aq2YspoDt5

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 10, 2026

Beyond the initial lightning strike, the defense was utterly dominant, transforming Oregon's game plan into a continuous struggle. Indiana entered the day first in America in turnover margin, and it was once again true in the Peach Bowl. Boasting the nation’s No. 1 pressure rate, the Hoosiers' front seven successfully harassed Dante Moore throughout the first half, forcing two costly fumbles — one of which occurred deep inside the five-yard line and directly set up another Indiana score. This relentless pressure was key to limiting the Ducks' scoring opportunities and allowing the offense to build an insurmountable lead.

By the end of the night, Indiana forced three turnovers, sacked Moore three times and had a staggering 10 tackles for a loss. Surrendering only 22 points to one of the best scoring offenses in America, the defensive effort was the bedrock of the 56-22 blowout victory.

The unit’s ability to generate chaos, create short fields, and deliver an early knockout punch proves that the Hoosiers are a complete, championship-caliber team that is more than ready for the National Championship stage.

MORE: Indiana's CFP semifinal win over Oregon puts the Hoosiers in exclusive company

Indiana season defensive stats

The Indiana Hoosiers' defense, a cornerstone of their undefeated run to the National Championship, was statistically one of the best units in the entire nation in 2025.

Here are the season-long cumulative defensive statistics for the Hoosiers through their 15 games:

Who are Indiana's key defensive players?

The Hoosiers' historic defensive success this season is built on the exceptional talent and leadership of a few key players.

It starts with the linebacker captain Aiden Fisher, who is the heart and soul of the Hoosiers' defense and the quarterback of the unit. The senior linebacker, who transferred from James Madison, established himself as one of the best linebackers in the nation, earning First-team All-America honors in 2025. Fisher's value lies not just in his high tackle numbers — tying for 16th on IU's single-season tackles chart in 2024 — but in his versatility as a complete player. He is crucial in run support, excels at blitzing (logging 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks this season), and possesses the intelligence to direct the defense, consistently putting his teammates in the right position. 

In the secondary, there's Ponds, is the defense's premier playmaker and shut-down corner. Despite being slightly undersized, the junior makes up for it with elite speed, body control, and a fierce competitive spirit that Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines calls "elite." Ponds is a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection and a First-team All-American who consistently shadows and eliminates the opposing team's top receiver. He is a certified big-game performer, having been named Defensive MVP of both the Rose Bowl and the recent Peach Bowl for his efforts, including the electrifying pick-six on the first play against Oregon that set the tone for the entire CFP semifinal. 

The Hoosiers' defensive line is built on a deep rotation of relentless edge rushers who together created one of the nation’s most disruptive pass rushes (ranking fifth nationally before today with 42 total sacks). The star of this unit is Mikail Kamara, the redshirt senior "stud" who is recognized as one of the best defensive linemen in the country, commanding constant double-teams and shaping every opposing pass protection plan.

The unit suffered a major loss when Stephen Daley, who led the Big Ten in tackles for loss, sustained a season-ending injury during a post-game celebration. However, the Hoosiers exemplify the "next man up" philosophy: the subsequent dominant performance by the defensive front, which continued to deliver constant pressure in the playoffs, speaks volumes about the depth Cignetti and his staff have cultivated. Filling the void is high-motor sophomore Daniel Ndukwe, who demonstrated his ability by logging two sacks against Oregon, along with veteran Kellan Wyatt and others in the rotation.

The Indiana Hoosiers' defense is not merely good; it is one of the most statistically dominant and historically significant defenses in the modern era of college football. Under Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines and the aggressive philosophy of Cignetti, the unit has reached national rankings that were unimaginable for the program just a few years ago.

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