If you’re checking your phone and wondering what was the score of the Oregon ducks football game, you’re likely looking for the outcome of the massive College Football Playoff semifinal. The Ducks ran into a buzzsaw. It wasn't pretty. In fact, it was the kind of game that makes fans want to burn their lucky jerseys and stay off social media for a month. On Friday, January 9, 2026, the #5 Oregon Ducks fell to #1 Indiana with a final score of 56-22.
Twenty-two to fifty-six. Ouch.
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was supposed to be the site of a historic breakthrough for Dan Lanning’s squad. Instead, it became a showcase for why Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the Heisman winner. The Ducks finished a stellar season with a 13-2 record, but that final loss is going to sting all the way through spring practice.
Breaking Down the Score: What Really Happened in the Peach Bowl?
Honestly, the game felt like it was over before the first commercial break. On the very first play from scrimmage, Dante Moore threw a pick-six to D'Angelo Ponds. Just like that, it was 7-0. You've got to feel for Moore there. He’s been incredible all year, completing 72% of his passes, but the big stage in Atlanta seemed to swallow the Ducks whole for the first thirty minutes.
Oregon actually showed some life right after that. They marched 75 yards and Jamari Johnson caught a 19-yard TD to tie it up. For a second, we all thought, "Okay, we’ve got a game." We didn't.
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Indiana proceeded to drop 28 unanswered points before the half. The most painful part? Oregon basically handed them the keys to the stadium. Moore fumbled twice in the second quarter—once when his arm hit his own running back, Dierre Hill Jr., on a throw. It was a comedy of errors in a tragedy of a game. By the time they headed to the locker room, it was 35-7.
The Statistical Damage
The final box score tells a story of two different worlds. Indiana didn't just win; they dismantled.
- Final Score: Indiana 56, Oregon 22
- Turnovers: Oregon had 3 (all in the first half), Indiana had 0.
- Quarterback Play: Dante Moore went 24-of-39 for 285 yards and 2 TDs, but those early turnovers were the nail in the coffin.
- The Mendoza Factor: Indiana's Fernando Mendoza threw 5 touchdowns. Five.
Why the Oregon Ducks Season Was Still a Massive Success
It’s easy to get caught up in the blowout, but looking at what was the score of the Oregon ducks football game only tells half the story of 2025. This team was a juggernaut for 13 weeks. They beat Penn State in a double-overtime thriller at Beaver Stadium. They shut out Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl just a week prior to the Peach Bowl disaster.
Dan Lanning has built something sustainable in Eugene. They aren't just a "flashy uniforms" team anymore. They’re a Big Ten powerhouse. They went 8-1 in conference play, with their only regular-season loss also coming against Indiana back in October. Basically, the Hoosiers are the only team in the country that figured out how to stop the Ducks this year.
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The Silver Lining: Dante Moore is Staying
The biggest news hitting the wires right after the loss wasn't about the score. It was about the future. On Wednesday, January 14, Dante Moore went on SportsCenter and told the world he’s coming back for the 2026 season.
That is huge.
Most people expected him to be a top-five NFL draft pick. Instead, he’s staying to "reach our goal and be national champions." He’s got unfinished business. Plus, the Ducks just landed Dylan Raiola from the transfer portal. The QB room in Eugene is getting crowded, but in a good way.
What’s Next for Oregon Football?
If you're a Ducks fan, the next few months are about recovery and reloading. The defense is losing some heavy hitters like safety Dillon Thieneman and tight end Kenyon Sadiq to the NFL, but the defensive front is largely staying intact. Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti are both coming back to terrorize quarterbacks next year.
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The schedule for 2026 hasn't been fully dissected yet, but the expectations will be higher than ever. Getting to the semifinal is great, but at Oregon, it’s Natty or bust.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with the team during the off-season, here is what you should be watching:
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: With offensive coordinator Will Stein heading to Kentucky, keep an eye on who Lanning hires to replace him. This will dictate how Moore and Raiola are used.
- Spring Game Tickets: These usually go on sale in late February. If you want to see the Moore-Raiola dynamic in person, Autzen will be the place to be.
- Transfer Portal Windows: The spring window is where the Ducks usually add those final "missing pieces" to the roster.
The 56-22 loss to Indiana was a gut punch, no doubt about it. But when people ask what was the score of the Oregon ducks football game, remind them that the Ducks were one of the last four teams standing in a brutal 2025-2026 season. The foundation is solid, the quarterback is returning, and the hunt for Oregon’s first national title is very much alive.