The indiana vs oregon football series went from an occasional intersection between two distant programs to a nationally significant Big Ten matchup. Indiana and Oregon have played only five times, but the latest meetings dramatically changed the story of the series.
Through the 2025 college football season, Indiana leads Oregon 3–2 all-time. Oregon won the first two meetings in 1963 and 1964, while Indiana has won the last three: 30–24 in 2004, 30–20 in October 2025, and 56–22 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl on January 9, 2026.
indiana vs oregon All-Time Football Record
The Indiana Hoosiers and Oregon Ducks have a surprisingly short head-to-head history considering the age of both football programs.
Here is the complete series:
| Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| November 16, 1963 | Portland, Oregon | Oregon 28, Indiana 22 |
| November 14, 1964 | Bloomington, Indiana | Oregon 29, Indiana 21 |
| September 11, 2004 | Eugene, Oregon | Indiana 30, Oregon 24 |
| October 11, 2025 | Eugene, Oregon | Indiana 30, Oregon 20 |
| January 9, 2026 | Atlanta, Georgia | Indiana 56, Oregon 22 |
All-time series: Indiana leads 3–2
Current winning streak: Indiana, 3 games
Largest Indiana win: 56–22
Largest Oregon win: 29–21
Most recent meeting: Indiana 56, Oregon 22
The series has essentially unfolded in two eras. Oregon controlled the original meetings in the 1960s. Indiana has controlled everything since the teams renewed the matchup in 2004.
Why indiana vs oregon Became a Bigger College Football Matchup
For most of college football history, there was little reason to think of Indiana and Oregon as regular opponents.
Indiana has long been associated with the Big Ten and the Midwest. Oregon built its football identity on the West Coast and spent decades competing in what ultimately became the Pac-12.
Conference realignment changed that.
Oregon’s move into the Big Ten brought the Ducks into the same conference as Indiana, creating opportunities for regular-season meetings that previously required nonconference scheduling.
That new relationship produced a major matchup at Autzen Stadium in October 2025. The teams then met again less than three months later in the College Football Playoff.
The postseason rematch elevated the series considerably: the winner would advance to the national championship game.
Are Indiana and Oregon football rivals?
Not in the traditional sense.
Indiana-Purdue and Oregon-Washington have far deeper rivalry histories. Indiana and Oregon have played only five football games, separated by several long gaps.
Still, conference membership and postseason stakes have given Indiana-Oregon games much more significance than the small number of meetings might suggest.
The modern series also contains an unusual pattern: after Oregon started 2–0 against Indiana, the Hoosiers responded with three consecutive victories.
Indiana vs Oregon Football History
1963: Oregon Wins the First Meeting, 28–22
The first Indiana-Oregon football game took place on November 16, 1963.
Indiana traveled west for the matchup and lost 28–22. The Hoosiers finished that season 3–6 overall, and the Oregon defeat came immediately after Indiana had beaten Oregon State 20–15.
The result gave Oregon the first lead in what would become an extremely intermittent series.
1964: Oregon Wins Again, 29–21
The teams met again almost exactly one year later.
This time Indiana hosted Oregon in Bloomington on November 14, 1964. Oregon won 29–21, taking a 2–0 advantage in the series.
At that point, it would have been reasonable to expect another meeting within a few seasons.
Instead, Indiana and Oregon went nearly four decades without playing each other.
2004: Indiana Stuns Oregon, 30–24
The 2004 game remains one of the most interesting results in the series because the statistics and final score tell very different stories.
Indiana entered Autzen Stadium on September 11, 2004 and defeated Oregon 30–24.
Yet Oregon accumulated 495 total yards, while Indiana managed only 198. Oregon produced 317 passing yards and 178 rushing yards; Indiana finished with just 71 passing yards and 127 rushing yards.
So how did Indiana win?
Turnovers were decisive.
Oregon lost four fumbles and threw three interceptions, giving the Ducks seven turnovers. Indiana repeatedly received opportunities to work with favorable situations rather than having to sustain long offensive drives.
Indiana jumped ahead 17–0 in the first quarter and carried a 23–0 lead into halftime.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed 29 times for 91 yards and scored a touchdown. Matt LoVecchio threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Courtney Roby. Lance Bennett provided one of the game’s biggest plays with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after Oregon had cut the lead to 23–10.
Oregon rallied, eventually reducing Indiana’s advantage to 30–24, but the Hoosiers held on.
The game became a classic example of why total yardage alone cannot explain a football result. Field position, turnovers and special teams can outweigh a large difference in offensive production.
Quick Takeaway
Oregon outgained Indiana by 297 yards in 2004 but lost by six points. Seven Oregon turnovers and Bennett’s kickoff-return touchdown helped Indiana turn a statistically unusual performance into its first victory over the Ducks.
indiana vs oregon in the Big Ten Era
Oregon’s arrival in the Big Ten completely changed the context of this matchup.
Instead of relying on occasional nonconference scheduling, the Ducks and Hoosiers could now meet as conference opponents.
Their October 11, 2025 meeting at Autzen Stadium became the first football game between the schools since 2004.
Indiana entered undefeated at 5–0. Oregon was also undefeated at 5–0.
The result was one of the defining moments in the modern series.
Indiana 30, Oregon 20 — October 11, 2025
Indiana defeated Oregon 30–20 in Eugene before an announced crowd of 59,625. The victory moved Indiana to 6–0 overall and 3–0 in conference play, while Oregon fell to 5–1 and 2–1.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for 215 yards. Roman Hemby led the Hoosiers on the ground with 70 rushing yards, while Elijah Sarratt produced 121 receiving yards.
For Oregon, Dante Moore passed for 186 yards. Jordon Davison rushed for 59 yards, and Malik Benson led the Ducks with 44 receiving yards.
Indiana led 10–7 after the first quarter and 13–10 at halftime. Both teams remained within striking distance entering the fourth quarter, but Indiana scored 10 points in the final period to finish the 30–20 win.
More importantly for the history of the series, the victory tied the all-time matchup at 2–2.
The next meeting arrived much sooner than anyone would have expected.
Indiana vs Oregon Peach Bowl: The 2026 CFP Semifinal
On January 9, 2026, Indiana and Oregon met at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The stakes were enormous.
Indiana entered as the No. 1 seed at 14–0. Oregon was the No. 5 seed and entered at 13–1. The winner would advance to the CFP National Championship.
Instead of producing a close rematch, the game quickly moved in Indiana’s direction.
Final score: Indiana 56, Oregon 22.
Indiana’s First-Play Pick-Six Changed the Game Immediately
Oregon received the opening kickoff, but Indiana scored before its offense even stepped onto the field.
On Oregon’s first offensive snap, Indiana defensive back D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Dante Moore and returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown.
Only 11 seconds had elapsed.
Oregon responded impressively with a 14-play touchdown drive, tying the game 7–7 on Moore’s touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson.
That was effectively the end of the game’s competitive balance.
Indiana regained the lead and then repeatedly turned Oregon mistakes into scoring opportunities.
Indiana Led 35–7 at Halftime
The Hoosiers scored 14 points in the first quarter and another 21 in the second.
By halftime:
Indiana 35, Oregon 7.
Indiana’s defense forced three first-half turnovers, while Fernando Mendoza efficiently converted opportunities into touchdowns.
Mendoza connected with Omar Cooper Jr., Charlie Becker and Elijah Sarratt for scores as Indiana steadily expanded its advantage.
The combination of takeaways, favorable field position and offensive efficiency left Oregon trying to erase a four-touchdown deficit after halftime.
Fernando Mendoza’s Five Touchdown Passes
Mendoza’s passing line illustrates how efficiently Indiana played.
He completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.
The yardage total was modest compared with many five-touchdown performances, but that’s exactly what makes the statistic revealing.
Indiana did not need Mendoza to throw for 400 yards.
Turnovers and special teams repeatedly created favorable situations, while the offense finished drives without giving the ball back.
Mendoza was named the Peach Bowl’s Offensive Player of the Game. Ponds received Defensive Player of the Game honors.
Oregon Actually Had More Total Yards
The box score contains another reminder that raw yardage can be misleading.
Oregon finished with 378 total yards, compared with Indiana’s 362. Oregon also produced 285 passing yards to Indiana’s 177.
But several other numbers tell the more important story.
| Statistic | Oregon | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 22 | 56 |
| Total yards | 378 | 362 |
| Passing yards | 285 | 177 |
| Rushing yards | 93 | 185 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Third downs | 8/13 | 11/14 |
| Possession | 28:47 | 31:13 |
Indiana converted 11 of 14 third downs and committed no turnovers. Oregon turned the ball over three times.
Indiana also rushed for 185 yards while holding Oregon to 93.
The result illustrates a theme that has appeared more than once in this series: efficiency and possession value have mattered more than simply accumulating yards.
What Decided the 56–22 Indiana vs Oregon Rematch?
Several factors separated Indiana from Oregon in the Peach Bowl.
1. Turnover Margin
Indiana finished with zero turnovers.
Oregon had three.
Those giveaways were especially damaging because they helped Indiana generate points before Oregon could settle into its normal offensive rhythm.
2. Third-Down Execution
Indiana converted 11 of 14 third downs, an exceptionally effective rate.
That allowed the Hoosiers to extend drives, control possession and prevent Oregon from getting repeated opportunities to build offensive momentum.
3. Rushing Production
Indiana rushed for 185 yards on 40 attempts.
Oregon finished with 93 yards on 26 carries. A large portion of Oregon’s rushing production came from Dierre Hill Jr., who gained 86 yards on five carries, including a 71-yard run.
Indiana’s more consistent rushing attack helped keep its offense on schedule.
4. Field Position
Turnovers and special teams repeatedly forced Oregon to defend difficult situations.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning specifically pointed to Indiana winning the average starting-field-position battle and praised the Hoosiers’ special-teams performance afterward.
5. Indiana Finished Opportunities
The Hoosiers did not need overwhelming offensive yardage because they were efficient when opportunities appeared.
Mendoza’s five touchdown passes on only 20 attempts capture that difference.
Indiana vs Oregon Head-to-Head Trends
With only five meetings, the sample is too small to treat every pattern as predictive. Still, the historical results reveal several interesting trends.
Indiana Has Won Three Straight
After losing in 1963 and 1964, Indiana won in:
- 2004
- 2025
- January 2026
That gives the Hoosiers the longest winning streak in the series at three games.
Indiana Has Won Three Times Away From Bloomington
Indiana’s three victories came in Eugene in 2004, Eugene again in 2025, and Atlanta at a neutral site in January 2026.
Oregon’s only win in Bloomington came in 1964.
The Recent Games Have Become More Decisive
Indiana’s first victory came by six points.
The 2025 win came by 10.
The Peach Bowl margin was 34.
That 56–22 result is the largest margin of victory by either team in the series.
How the 2004 and 2026 Games Share an Unusual Connection
The 2004 and 2026 games were separated by more than two decades, featured completely different players and coaches, and occurred in very different versions of college football.
Yet they share an interesting statistical theme.
Oregon outgained Indiana in both games.
In 2004, Oregon produced 495 yards compared with Indiana’s 198, but the Ducks committed seven turnovers and lost 30–24.
In the 2026 Peach Bowl, Oregon again finished with more total offense, 378–362, but committed three turnovers while Indiana committed none. The Hoosiers won 56–22.
The circumstances were different, but the broader lesson was similar.
Possessions have value.
A team can move the football effectively and still lose badly if drives end in turnovers, the opponent receives short fields, or special teams create major swings.
That context makes Indiana-Oregon more interesting than simply comparing final yardage totals.
Indiana vs Oregon: Football vs Basketball
Searches for indiana vs oregon can also refer to basketball now that the universities share Big Ten membership.
The football series should not be confused with the schools’ recent basketball meetings.
In men’s basketball, Oregon defeated Indiana 73–64 at Matthew Knight Arena on March 4, 2025. Trey Galloway scored 16 points for Indiana, while Oumar Ballo recorded 10 points and 12 rebounds.
The teams met again nine days later in the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Oregon won that game 72–59.
The women’s teams also met in the 2025 Big Ten Tournament, where Indiana defeated Oregon 78–62.
This broader athletic relationship is another consequence of Oregon joining the Big Ten.
Indiana and Oregon Across Other College Sports
Football receives most of the national attention, but Big Ten membership means Indiana and Oregon now encounter each other in numerous sports.
Baseball provides one example.
Oregon hosted Indiana at PK Park in Eugene during March 2026. Oregon won 3–2 on March 13 and followed with a 5–1 victory on March 14.
These conference matchups matter when interpreting search results because “Indiana vs Oregon” no longer points exclusively to a rare football game.
The universities are now conference peers whose teams can meet regularly across NCAA competition.
What Is the Latest indiana vs oregon Football Score?
The most recent football result is:
Indiana 56, Oregon 22 — January 9, 2026.
The game was the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Indiana entered as the No. 1 seed, Oregon as the No. 5 seed, and 75,604 attended at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Indiana led 14–7 after the first quarter, 35–7 at halftime and 42–15 after three quarters before finishing the 56–22 victory.
The win sent Indiana to the CFP National Championship against Miami.
Who Leads the Indiana vs Oregon Football Series?
Indiana leads the football series 3–2 through the 2025 season.
The progression is easy to follow:
1963: Oregon leads 1–0
1964: Oregon leads 2–0
2004: Oregon leads 2–1
October 2025: Series tied 2–2
January 2026: Indiana leads 3–2
That means the Peach Bowl did more than decide who advanced in the College Football Playoff. It also gave Indiana its first all-time series lead over Oregon.
When Did Indiana First Beat Oregon?
Indiana’s first football victory over Oregon came on September 11, 2004, when the Hoosiers won 30–24 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.
That result ended Oregon’s 2–0 start to the series.
Indiana has not lost to Oregon since.
The Hoosiers followed the 2004 win with victories in October 2025 and January 2026, producing their current three-game winning streak.
What Makes the Indiana-Oregon Series Unusual?
Most prominent college football series develop through repetition.
Indiana-Oregon developed through interruption.
The teams played in consecutive seasons in 1963 and 1964, disappeared from each other’s schedules for 40 years, met again in 2004, and then waited another 21 years before the 2025 matchup.
Then everything accelerated.
After waiting 21 years for another meeting, Indiana and Oregon played twice within roughly three months during the 2025 season.
The second of those games carried national championship implications.
Few five-game series contain such a dramatic shift from historical obscurity to the College Football Playoff stage.
What the Series Tells Us About Modern College Football
The history of Indiana-Oregon also reflects how rapidly college football has changed.
Conference geography once kept programs such as Indiana and Oregon largely separate. Oregon’s move into the Big Ten erased much of that separation.
The expanded College Football Playoff added another possibility.
Two teams can now meet during conference play and then encounter each other again deep in the national postseason, exactly as Indiana and Oregon did in 2025–26.
That creates a very different competitive environment from the one surrounding their meetings in 1963, 1964 or even 2004.
A matchup that once depended on uncommon nonconference scheduling can now carry conference consequences, postseason implications and national championship stakes.
Final Look at indiana vs oregon
The indiana vs oregon football history is short, but its latest chapter made the matchup far more significant.
Oregon won the first two games, taking victories in 1963 and 1964. Indiana answered with the memorable 30–24 upset at Autzen Stadium in 2004, then beat Oregon 30–20 in their 2025 Big Ten meeting.
The biggest result came on January 9, 2026.
Indiana’s 56–22 Peach Bowl victory gave the Hoosiers a 3–2 all-time series lead, extended their winning streak over Oregon to three games, and sent Indiana to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
For a series with only five football meetings, Indiana-Oregon has already produced an upset shaped by seven turnovers, an undefeated Big Ten showdown, and a CFP semifinal. With both universities now sharing the Big Ten, future meetings will add chapters to a head-to-head history that changed remarkably quickly.
