Indiana tops No. 3 Oregon at Autzen, ends Ducks' home streak

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for 215 yards and a fourth quarter touchdown as the seventh ranked Hoosiers beat No. 3 Oregon 30-20 at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 11, snapping the Ducks' 18-game home winning streak and delivering Indiana its highest-ever ranking. The victory ended Oregon's run at Autzen, kept Indiana unbeaten and moved the Hoosiers into the national spotlight with potential Big Ten and playoff ramifications.

The game was tightly contested through three quarters. Oregon tied the score in the fourth on a 35-yard interception return by Brandon Finney with 1:24 remaining in the period, but Mendoza led a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt with 6:23 left to put Indiana ahead for good. Later defensive stops and a 22-yard field goal by Brendan Franke sealed the margin after Louis Moore intercepted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. Moore finished with 186 yards and one touchdown and was sacked six times.

Indiana's defense tightened in the second half, limiting Oregon after the break and creating the turnovers that swung the game. Coach Curt Cignetti praised the team's overall effort, saying the defense "was tremendous in the...