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Hoosiers Dominate Peach Bowl, Coach Cignetti Remains Unfazed
ATLANTA, GA – The Indiana Hoosiers delivered a resounding performance in the College Football Playoff semifinal, overwhelming the Oregon Ducks with a dominant 56-22 victory in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Yet, amidst the celebratory frenzy, head coach Curt Cignetti’s stoic demeanor on the sidelines became as much a talking point as the team’s impressive play.
Cignetti, whose expression remained largely unchanged throughout the high-scoring affair, was frequently observed staring emotionless, even as the Hoosiers racked up nearly 50 points with over eleven minutes left in the fourth quarter. This unflappable presence mirrored his sideline reactions during Indiana’s earlier statement win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, where they famously didn’t concede a single touchdown.
The game began with an immediate jolt for the Hoosiers, as Oregon’s NFL Draft prospect Dante Moore threw an interception on the very first play from scrimmage, which Indiana promptly returned for a touchdown. From there, Heisman candidate Fernando Mendoza led the Hoosiers’ offense with remarkable ease, driving the ball down the field and scoring 35 points in the first half without needing a single fourth-down conversion. Mendoza’s efficiency was a highlight, completing 17 of 20 passes for 117 yards and five touchdowns – remarkably, more scores than incompletions.
As Indiana extended its lead to a commanding 42-7, college football fans on social media were quick to comment on Cignetti’s perplexing composure. One fan quipped, “He must be pissed that the drive took too long,” while another humorously suggested, “Find a personal trainer who looks at you the way Curt Cignetti looks at his team after they block a punt while up by 27 points in the 4th quarter.” Even DraftKings Sportsbook’s official account noted that Cignetti’s first discernible smile of the game came late in the fourth quarter after the Hoosiers pushed their lead to 56-15.
Following the game, Cignetti offered a characteristically understated assessment. “I feel like we did all right,” he remarked.
“We created turnovers that led to points and hit the quarterback a lot. Great team win.
I’ll give the guys a couple of days off starting tomorrow. Then a great week of preparation and put it on the field.”
When pressed about his thoughts on the upcoming National Championship, Cignetti’s focus remained grounded, stating, “I’m really not thinking about the next game. I’m thinking about cracking open a beer.”
The Hoosiers’ defense was equally formidable, shutting out the Ducks in the second quarter and outscoring them 21-0 in that period. Indiana’s dominant performance has further cemented Mendoza’s status as a top prospect, with analysts projecting him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially heading to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Conversely, Oregon QB Dante Moore, ranked as the second-best quarterback in the draft class, finished the game with 285 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. His performance, particularly the opening play, led to a flurry of social media jokes, with many drawing comparisons to the struggles of the New York Jets. Insiders suggest that Moore might opt to stay in college for his junior season rather than be selected by an organization often characterized as dysfunctional, which holds the No. 2 pick in the draft.