56-22.
Honestly, if you told any IU fan three years ago that the Indiana University football game score would look like that in a College Football Playoff semifinal, they’d have probably asked what you were drinking. But here we are. On January 9, 2026, the Indiana Hoosiers didn’t just beat the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium; they dismantled them.
It was a total bloodbath.
The Hoosiers are now sitting at a perfect 15-0. That’s not a typo. Curt Cignetti has somehow turned Bloomington into the center of the college football universe. People kept waiting for the carriage to turn back into a pumpkin—maybe against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game or against Alabama in the Rose Bowl—but the pumpkin is currently a tank.
Why the Recent Score of the Indiana University Football Game Matters
This wasn't just another win. It was a statement. Oregon came in as the No. 5 seed, boasting one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and Indiana basically tucked them into bed by halftime.
👉 See also: Calendario de la H: Todo lo que debes saber sobre cuando juega honduras 2025 y el camino al Mundial
The game started with a literal bolt of lightning. D’Angelo Ponds jumped a route on the very first play from scrimmage, picking off Dante Moore and taking it to the house. 7-0 Indiana before the fans had even sat down. Oregon tried to punch back with a long drive to tie it, but then the floodgates just... opened.
The Fernando Mendoza Factor
You can't talk about this Indiana team without talking about Fernando Mendoza. He’s been the engine. Against the Ducks, he was surgical, throwing five touchdown passes and finishing 17-of-20. That is an 85% completion rate in the biggest game of his life.
It’s kinda wild to think about.
While everyone else is running complicated, high-speed schemes, Indiana’s offense under Mike Shanahan (the OC, not the legend) looks remarkably calm. They just take what you give them. If you drop deep, they run Kaelon Black. If you press, Mendoza finds Elijah Sarratt or Omar Cooper Jr.
✨ Don't miss: Caitlin Clark GPA Iowa: The Truth About Her Tippie College Grades
The box score shows a 35-7 lead at the half. That isn't a "close game." That is a blowout.
Breaking Down the Playoff Run
Before they hung 56 on Oregon, Indiana had to deal with the weight of history in the Rose Bowl.
- Rose Bowl (Jan 1, 2026): Indiana 38, Alabama 3.
- Big Ten Championship (Dec 6, 2025): Indiana 13, Ohio State 10.
- The Bucket Game (Nov 28, 2025): Indiana 56, Purdue 3.
Look at those numbers. They beat Alabama by 35 points. Alabama! The Hoosiers held the Tide to a single field goal. Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines has these guys playing like their lives depend on every single snap. They’re aggressive, they’re fast, and they’ve got a weird, chip-on-the-shoulder energy that hasn't faded even though they've been ranked in the top five for months.
What’s Next for the Hoosiers?
So, the score of the Indiana University football game has everyone looking toward Miami. Specifically, Jan 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium.
🔗 Read more: Barry Sanders Shoes Nike: What Most People Get Wrong
It’s No. 1 Indiana versus No. 10 Miami for the National Championship.
The Hurricanes are basically playing a home game, which adds a layer of "us against the world" that Cignetti probably loves. Miami has had a weird path—knocking off Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss—but they’re the last thing standing between Indiana and a 16-0 season. No FBS team has ever won 16 games in a single season.
Indiana is on the verge of doing something that Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Kirby Smart never did.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Secondary Markets: If you're looking for National Championship tickets in Miami, prices are spiking. Expect to pay at least $800 for "nosebleeds" at Hard Rock.
- Watch the Injury Report: Keep an eye on the status of the offensive line. They’ve been the unsung heroes, but a couple of guys looked banged up late in the Peach Bowl.
- Update Your Calendar: Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. If you're in Bloomington, expect Kirkwood Avenue to be a standstill regardless of the outcome.
The bottom line? This isn't a fluke. Whether you're looking at the 56-22 win over Oregon or the way they bullied Alabama, Indiana is the real deal. They play fundamentally sound, mean-spirited football. And right now, nobody seems to have an answer for it.