The first half of the College Football Playoff semifinal on Friday night featured two top quarterbacks with polar opposite outcomes.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza had a near-perfect half, throwing for 110 yards — going 10-for-11 through the air — with three touchdowns to lead the Hoosiers to a lopsided 35-7 lead over the Ducks, throwing the final two within minutes of each other late in the second quarter.
On the flip side, Oregon QB Dante Moore could arguably not have had himself a worse half, first throwing a pick six to open the Peach Bowl. He also fumbled twice in the second quarter.
Moore’s first fumble was a bizarre turnover, with the quarterback having the ball knocked out of his hand by Ducks running back Dierre Hill Jr. deep in Ducks territory.
Moore, 20, threw for 112 yards with a touchdown.
With both Mendoza and Moore being projected to go at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets — who have the No. 2 pick — said Friday’s game will have an impact on draft decisions.
“There’s still several games to be played, and I think these games will be big and have an impact [on draft evaluation],” general manager Darren Mougey told reporters Tuesday, per ESPN.
Outside of the quarterback battle, Indiana wideout Elijah Sarratt led all receivers with 48 yards and a touchdown in the first half, and running back Roman Hemby racked up 35 rushing yards on eight carries.
Kaelon Black also scored a rushing touchdown for the Hoosiers midway through the second quarter.
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