Indiana Hoosiers Make Historic Bowl Appearance

ATLANTA, Ga. — “Google it. I win.”

This memorable phrase came from Curt Cignetti upon his introduction as the Indiana Hoosiers’ head football coach in 2024, upon being asked how he would attract recruits.

And, well, you should definitely look him up now. It’s certainly an interesting story.

The Hoosiers haven’t had the best luck in bowl games. Before this season’s postseason, their only trip to the Rose Bowl was in 1967, where they faced a tough loss at 14-3. They also played in the Peach Bowl two additional times, in 1987 and 1990, but ended both with defeats. So, not the best history—before this season, they held a 14-3 overall bowl record.

This is why I thought maybe tonight’s event would feel a bit overwhelming, you know, perhaps too bright and loud in the Peach Bowl. Turns out, I was mistaken!

Alabama, the first team Indiana knocked out this postseason, has more national championship appearances than Indiana has bowl games. Oregon State has been to 37 bowl games, and if Indiana faces the Hurricanes in Miami, they’ll compete against a team with 44 bowl appearances. But honestly? The lights didn’t seem too daunting for Cignetti’s team after tonight’s performance.

As I pen this down, I’m in the press box at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, watching Indiana decisively defeat the Oregon Ducks in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The scoring actually kicked off on the very first play, when D’Angelo Pons intercepted Oregon QB Dante Moore and ran it right into the end zone, setting a rather grim tone for the Ducks.

I’ve often found myself in the press box, trying to keep up with changing leads as the clock wound down in fourth quarters past. Not tonight, though. The Hoosiers led 35-10 at halftime and then wrapped up the game with a 56-22 victory, securing their spot in the national championship.

As we made our way to the stadium, one thing was quite evident: Indiana fans were out in full force. If I had to guess, I’d say the crowd was roughly 85% Indiana supporters, with maybe 15% rooting for Oregon. It’s a special season, and fans I talked to beforehand mentioned how much they were looking forward to this game. And they were spot on.

The expanded playoffs aimed to showcase teams outside the usual bracket of contenders, and Indiana embraced that role superbly this postseason. Before the College Football Playoff began, they took down Ohio State, the top-ranked team, in the Big Ten Championship. Then, they dominated Alabama in what turned out to be Indiana’s first Rose Bowl victory at a staggering 38-3. Now, it seems the emails are pouring in about Indiana’s odds against the Miami Hurricanes in the national championship set for January 19th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Sure, they feature the best quarterback in college football—Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. But he didn’t even need to conjure any magic against the Ducks. Oregon’s defense has been pretty average this season, allowing 16.3 points per game, but significantly more, 56 points, to Indiana on this night. Oregon State averaged a whopping 271.4 yards allowed per game, whereas Indiana managed 362 total yards. Their pass defense, although tough, ranked just second to Ohio State in the playoff, averaging 158 yards allowed per game. Mendoza only needed to complete 177 yards to secure the win over the Ducks, and those were accompanied by five touchdown passes.

Oregon State dug itself into a hole early with that pick-six on the game’s opening play, but let’s be clear—this was no fluke for Indiana or merely a case of self-destruction by the Ducks. The Hoosiers put on a devastating performance.

Honestly, it’s refreshing to see a different team win, especially in such a clear manner that leaves no room for doubt about their entitlement to a national championship berth for the first time in the program’s history.

I mean, I grew up in Ohio, so I have to admit, as a Big Ten supporter, it’s kind of surprising to write this:

If this Indiana team can maintain its momentum in the national championship—given what I’ve seen from Mendoza and the rest—I think the next time someone looks up Curt Cignetti, a national championship win will undoubtedly pop up alongside his name.