No. 1-ranked Indiana continued its winning ways on Friday night, crushing Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Here are the highlights of all of their points as they raised their record to 15-0. They'll play Miami for the national title on Jan. 19.
ATLANTA, Ga. — For the second straight postseason game, No. 1-ranked Indiana left no doubt that they are the best team in they country. They dashed out to a 35-point lead and cruised to a victory over Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Hoosiers took advantage of three Oregon turnovers, turning them all into touchdowns to take a 35-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Then they scored on their first possession of the second half as well. It was a scoring festival.
Here are the video highlights of all of their scores.
D'Angelo Ponds Pick-6
Time: 14:57 in first quarter
Situation: After the opening kickoff, Oregon started with the ball at its own 20-yard line. Quarterback Dante Moore tried to throw a quick out route to wide receiver Malik Benson, but Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds stepped in front of it for an interception. He took it to the house for a 25-yard score.
Score: Indiana 7, Oregon 0.
Mendoza's 1st TD pass
Time: 0:42 in first quarter
Situation: Indiana's first drive was an impressive one. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza had a pair of big throws to wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and tight end Riley Nowandowski for first downs, and then Roman Hemby had consecutive runs of 12 and 11 yards. The Hoosiers got in the end zone with an 8-yard out route from Mendoza to Omar Cooper Jr. Nico Radicic's PAT was good.
Score: Indiana 14, Oregon 7.
Another turnover leads to points
Time: 8:17 in second quarter
Situation: Indiana took advantage of another Oregon turnover when Dante Moore fumbled and Michael Landino recovered at the 3-yard line. Moore got bumped by freshman running back Dierre Hill Jr., and dropped the ball. On third down, running back Kaelon Black scored from 1-yard out. Hoosiers taking advantage of every Oregon mistake.
Score: Indiana 21, Oregon 7.
'Charlie B from Nashville, Tennessee'
Time: 3:13 in second quarter
Situation: Fernando Mendoza threw another dart downfield to sophomore Charle Becker, and he hauled it in for a 36-yard score. Becker, a lightly recruited speedy receiver from Nashville, Tenn., has become an Indiana fan favorite this year.
Score: Indiana 28, Oregon 7.
Another red zone fumble
Time: 2:36 in second quarter
Situation: Dante Moore got sacked again, this time by Daniel Ndukwe, and the ball was recovered by Michael Landino at the 21-yard line. Six plays later, Mendoza threw a low strike to Elijah Sarratt on a slant route to the left, and he went down and got it. The play was reviewed, but he crossed the goal line and the Hoosiers had their fifth touchdown of the half with 59 seconds to go.
Score: Indiana 35, Oregon 7.
Starting with a bang
Starting time: 15:00 in third quarter
Situation: If you thought Indiana would take its foot off the gas in the second half, you would be sadly mistaken. All they did was march right down the field for another score. It was an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took more than six minutes off the clock, and was capped with a 13-yard pass from Mendoza to E.J. Williams. That's four touchdown passes for Mendoza — to four different receivers. The touchdown came at the 8:56 mark.
Score: Indiana 42, Oregon 7.
No. 5 for Mendoza
Time: 11:40 in third quarter
Situation: Fernando Mendoza completes his fifth touchdown pass of the night, finding Elijah Sarratt in the back of the end zone for a 3-yard score. That ought to do it for this one.
Score: Indiana 49, Oregon 15.
Kaelon Black finishes it off
Time: 5:13 in fourth quarter
Situation: Kaelon Black bursts up the middle for 23 yards and a score. The Hoosiers now lead 56-15. It's the seventh time they've scored 50-plus points this season.
Score: Indiana 56, Oregon 15.