The indiana vs oregon football matchup has quickly changed from a rarely played intersectional series into a notable Big Ten and College Football Playoff matchup. Indiana and Oregon met only three times from 1963 through 2004, then played twice during the 2025 season, with the second meeting coming on the national stage.
Indiana leads the all-time football series against Oregon 3–2. The Ducks won the first two meetings in 1963 and 1964, but the Hoosiers have won three straight: 30–24 in 2004, 30–20 in the 2025 regular season, and 56–22 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl on January 9, 2026. Winsipedia
indiana vs oregon All-Time Football Record
Indiana and Oregon have played five football games. Despite the long histories of both programs, geography and their former conference affiliations kept meetings rare for decades.
That changed when Oregon joined the Big Ten, putting the Ducks and Hoosiers in the same conference and creating more opportunities for meaningful matchups.
Here is the complete series:
| Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 16, 1963 | Portland, Oregon | Oregon 28, Indiana 22 |
| Nov. 14, 1964 | Bloomington, Indiana | Oregon 29, Indiana 21 |
| Sept. 11, 2004 | Eugene, Oregon | Indiana 30, Oregon 24 |
| Oct. 11, 2025 | Eugene, Oregon | Indiana 30, Oregon 20 |
| Jan. 9, 2026 | Atlanta, Georgia | Indiana 56, Oregon 22 |
All-time record: Indiana 3 wins, Oregon 2 wins. Indiana also owns the longest winning streak in the series at three games. Winsipedia
The series is unusual because Oregon controlled its earliest chapter before Indiana completely reversed the trend. Oregon won both games in the 1960s, while Indiana has not lost to the Ducks since 1964.
How the Indiana vs Oregon Football Series Began
The first Indiana-Oregon football game took place on November 16, 1963, in Portland.
Oregon won 28–22.
The programs met again almost exactly one year later, this time in Bloomington. Oregon prevailed 29–21, giving the Ducks a 2–0 series advantage.
Those two results established Oregon’s early lead, but they did not create an annual rivalry. Indiana competed in the Big Ten while Oregon spent much of its history in the Pacific Coast Conference, Pac-8, Pac-10 and eventually Pac-12.
Travel distance also made regular nonconference meetings impractical.
After the 1964 game, Indiana and Oregon went nearly 40 years without facing one another.
Indiana’s 2004 breakthrough in Eugene
The series finally resumed on September 11, 2004.
Indiana traveled to Eugene and defeated Oregon 30–24.
The result was important for two reasons. It gave Indiana its first victory over the Ducks and ended Oregon’s chance to build on its 2–0 advantage from the 1960s.
Another long break followed.
Indiana and Oregon would not meet again for more than two decades.
Quick Takeaway: The early series had three distinct chapters—Oregon’s two wins in the 1960s, Indiana’s breakthrough in 2004, and the modern Big Ten era beginning in 2025. Winsipedia
indiana vs oregon 2025 Regular-Season Game
The October 11, 2025 meeting transformed the matchup.
Indiana traveled to Autzen Stadium in Eugene and defeated Oregon 30–20. The Hoosiers improved to 6–0 overall and 3–0 in conference play, while Oregon fell to 5–1 and 2–1. University of Oregon Athletics
The game was competitive deep into the fourth quarter.
Indiana led 10–7 after the opening quarter and carried a 13–10 advantage into halftime. Oregon tied the game at 13–13 in the third quarter before Roman Hemby’s touchdown put Indiana back ahead.
Oregon responded in the fourth when Brandon Finney Jr. returned an interception for a touchdown, tying the score 20–20.
Indiana did not unravel.
The Hoosiers answered with a long touchdown drive, capped by Fernando Mendoza’s eight-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt. A late field goal then extended Indiana’s advantage to 30–20. Kiwix Server
Fernando Mendoza vs Dante Moore
Quarterback play was one of the central storylines.
Mendoza completed 20 of 31 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also contributed 31 rushing yards.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore finished 21 of 34 for 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Indiana’s defense consistently disrupted Oregon’s passing game, recording six sacks. University of Oregon Athletics
| Statistic | Fernando Mendoza | Dante Moore |
|---|---|---|
| Completions | 20 | 21 |
| Attempts | 31 | 34 |
| Passing yards | 215 | 186 |
| Passing TDs | 1 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 2 |
The passing totals were not dramatically different. The larger difference came from pressure, turnovers and Indiana’s ability to sustain productive possessions.
Roman Hemby gave Indiana offensive balance
Roman Hemby led Indiana’s rushing attack with 70 yards on 19 carries.
More importantly, he scored two touchdowns.
Indiana finished with 111 net rushing yards in the official team statistics compared with Oregon’s 81. The Hoosiers did not dominate through explosive rushing plays, but they ran effectively enough to stay balanced and control important portions of the game. University of Oregon Athletics
Elijah Sarratt was Indiana’s leading receiver
Elijah Sarratt produced the game’s biggest receiving performance.
He caught eight passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. His fourth-quarter touchdown was particularly significant because it broke the 20–20 tie.
Oregon’s Malik Benson produced the game’s longest scoring reception with a 44-yard touchdown, but Indiana limited Oregon’s passing game to 186 yards overall. GradeCalcs
Why Indiana Won 30–20 at Autzen Stadium
The final score tells only part of the story.
Indiana finished with 326 total yards compared with Oregon’s 267. The Hoosiers generated 23 first downs, while the Ducks managed 14. University of Oregon Athletics
Several statistics explain Indiana’s advantage:
| Team Statistic | Indiana | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 326 | 267 |
| First downs | 23 | 14 |
| Passing yards | 215 | 186 |
| Rushing yards | 111 | 81 |
| Sacks | 6 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:10 | 26:50 |
Indiana’s defensive front was especially influential.
Six sacks repeatedly put Oregon behind schedule, while two Dante Moore interceptions gave Indiana additional opportunities. Oregon converted only three of 14 third downs. University of Oregon Athletics
Indiana was not perfect. Mendoza threw an interception that Oregon returned for a touchdown, temporarily tying the game.
What separated the Hoosiers was their response.
Instead of allowing the turnover to change the game’s momentum permanently, Indiana immediately constructed the scoring drive that restored its lead.
That composure became even more relevant when the programs met again three months later.
indiana vs oregon Peach Bowl CFP Semifinal
The rematch arrived on January 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
This time the stakes were far higher.
Indiana and Oregon met in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl, with a place in the national championship game on the line.
Indiana entered 14–0. Oregon arrived 13–1.
The regular-season meeting had been competitive.
The rematch was not.
Indiana defeated Oregon 56–22, producing the largest victory by either program in the history of the series. University of Oregon Athletics
D’Angelo Ponds changed the game immediately
Indiana needed only seconds to take control.
On Oregon’s opening offensive possession, D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Dante Moore and returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown.
Indiana led 7–0 before its offense had even taken the field.
Oregon responded with a Jamari Johnson touchdown reception to tie the game, but the balance shifted heavily toward Indiana from there.
The Hoosiers led 14–7 after the first quarter and exploded for 21 unanswered points in the second.
By halftime, Indiana was ahead 35–7. University of Oregon Athletics
Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes
Mendoza was remarkably efficient in the semifinal.
He completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns. He did not throw an interception.
The touchdowns were distributed across Indiana’s receiving group, with Omar Cooper Jr., Charlie Becker, Elijah Sarratt and E.J. Williams Jr. all contributing to the scoring.
Sarratt caught two touchdown passes and finished with seven receptions for 75 yards. University of Oregon Athletics
Mendoza did not need huge passing yardage because Indiana repeatedly operated with favorable field position and converted scoring opportunities efficiently.
Oregon gained yards but could not match Indiana’s efficiency
One of the most interesting aspects of the Peach Bowl was the yardage comparison.
Oregon actually finished with more total offense.
The Ducks accumulated 378 yards, while Indiana had 362. Dante Moore threw for 285 yards, considerably more than Mendoza’s 177. Waytob
Yet Indiana won by 34 points.
Why?
Turnovers and situational efficiency mattered far more than raw yardage.
Oregon committed three turnovers. Indiana committed none. The Hoosiers converted 11 of 14 third downs and repeatedly turned short fields into touchdowns.
Indiana also had a substantial rushing advantage, gaining 185 yards compared with Oregon’s 93. Waytob
Quick Takeaway: The 56–22 score was not the product of Indiana simply accumulating more yards. The Hoosiers dominated possession value—protecting the football, forcing turnovers, converting third downs and finishing drives.
Comparing the Two 2025 Season Meetings
Playing the same opponent twice in one season provides an unusually clear picture of how teams adjust.
Indiana won both meetings, but in very different ways.
| Category | Oct. 11, 2025 | Jan. 9, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Autzen Stadium | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Game type | Regular season | CFP semifinal |
| Indiana score | 30 | 56 |
| Oregon score | 20 | 22 |
| Margin | Indiana +10 | Indiana +34 |
| Mendoza pass yards | 215 | 177 |
| Mendoza pass TDs | 1 | 5 |
| Sarratt receiving yards | 121 | 75 |
The first matchup was a fourth-quarter contest. Oregon tied the score at 20 before Indiana pulled away.
The playoff rematch effectively turned before halftime.
Mendoza’s statistics highlight another difference. He accumulated fewer passing yards in Atlanta but threw five touchdowns because Indiana was far more efficient near the end zone and repeatedly benefited from favorable field position.
That is why evaluating the two games strictly through total yardage would miss the larger story.
How Oregon Joining the Big Ten Changed the Matchup
For decades, Indiana and Oregon existed in different football worlds.
Indiana has long been associated with the Big Ten. Oregon became one of the defining programs of the Pac-10 and Pac-12 era.
Conference realignment changed that.
Oregon joined the Big Ten in 2024, along with Washington, UCLA and USC. That move made regular-season conference games against Indiana possible.
The impact became obvious in 2025.
Instead of waiting another 20 or 40 years for a nonconference matchup, Indiana and Oregon met in Big Ten competition and then again in the College Football Playoff.
The matchup still should not be described as a traditional rivalry. Five games across more than six decades is too limited for that label.
But its competitive significance has increased substantially.
Who Leads the Indiana vs Oregon Series?
Indiana leads 3–2.
The sequence is particularly interesting:
- Oregon won the first game in 1963.
- Oregon won again in 1964.
- Indiana earned its first victory in 2004.
- Indiana won at Oregon in October 2025.
- Indiana defeated Oregon again in the January 2026 Peach Bowl.
That means Oregon once led the series 2–0.
Indiana has since won three consecutive meetings to take the lead. Winsipedia
What is the biggest Indiana vs Oregon victory?
Indiana’s 56–22 Peach Bowl win is the largest victory in series history.
The 34-point margin easily surpassed every previous result between the programs. Oregon’s largest win remains its 29–21 victory in 1964, an eight-point margin. Winsipedia
Has Indiana beaten Oregon at Autzen Stadium?
Yes—twice.
Indiana won 30–24 in 2004 and 30–20 in 2025, with both games played in Eugene. Winsipedia
That detail stands out because Autzen Stadium has long been regarded as a challenging road environment in college football.
Did Indiana and Oregon play twice in 2025?
They played twice during the 2025 college football season, although the second game took place on January 9, 2026, because the expanded College Football Playoff extends beyond the calendar year.
Indiana won both.
The Hoosiers first defeated Oregon 30–20 in Eugene during the regular season, then won 56–22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal. University of Oregon Athletics
Fernando Mendoza’s Role in the Modern Series
Fernando Mendoza became one of the central figures in the modern Indiana-Oregon matchup.
Across the two 2025-season meetings, he produced very different performances.
In Eugene, Indiana needed patience and late-game execution. Mendoza threw for 215 yards and one touchdown while Sarratt provided the biggest receiving plays.
In Atlanta, Mendoza became a touchdown machine.
His five touchdown passes came on only 20 attempts, showing how efficiently Indiana converted its opportunities. sports-reference.com
His performances also illustrate why quarterback statistics require context.
More passing yards did not necessarily mean a better offensive game.
The Peach Bowl was the clearest example: Mendoza threw for only 177 yards, while Moore reached 285, yet Indiana scored 56 points and Oregon scored 22. University of Oregon Athletics
What the Series History Tells Us
The indiana vs oregon football history can be divided neatly into three eras.
Oregon controlled the beginning.
The Ducks won in 1963 and 1964, establishing a 2–0 lead before the programs disappeared from each other’s schedules for decades.
Indiana changed the direction of the series in 2004 with its 30–24 victory in Eugene.
Then came the Big Ten era.
Indiana’s 30–20 road victory in October 2025 gave the Hoosiers their second straight win over Oregon. The 56–22 College Football Playoff semifinal victory three months later moved Indiana ahead 3–2 overall and created the first truly national moment in the matchup’s history. Winsipedia
Five games are not enough to make Indiana-Oregon a traditional rivalry. There is no century of annual meetings or long-established rivalry trophy.
Still, conference realignment has changed what the matchup can become.
For readers checking the indiana vs oregon record, the essential numbers are simple: Indiana leads 3–2, has won three straight meetings, and owns the largest victory in the series with its 56–22 Peach Bowl win.
