Mendoza, Indiana oust Oregon to reach first college football finale

Key Highlights

• "We definitely made a statement to show how dominant we were."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe top-ranked Hoosiers (15-0) forced three first-half turnovers and led 35-7 trough the first two quarters of the College Football Playoff semifinal thrashing in Atlanta.
• Heisman winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes, including three in the first half. The Hoosiers will battle the Miami Hurricanes (13-2) in the College Football Playoff finale Jan.
• 19 in Miami Gardens, Fla."This is what every little kid dreams of," said Mendoza, a Miami native.
• "We are going to go to the national championship and compete our butts off."Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe (17) strips the ball from Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5), leading to a fumble recovery in the second quarter of the Peach Bowl on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
• Photo by Mike Zarrilli/UPIIndiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks downfield to pass against the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter of the Peach Bowl on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.