The Oregon Ducks entered their home turf as a 7.5-point favorite, but Curt Cignetti’s defense sliced through Dante Moore’s offense, and the Hoosiers (30-20 win) climbed to a 6-0 start to the season. Dominating since the first quarter, Indiana is relishing a lot of praise, as it beat a Top 5 team for the second time this season. But amidst the celebration, David Pollack issued a sobering reality check for the Hoosiers.

“Indiana was good, man,” Pollack said, highlighting quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s 215 passing yards and 88.6 QB rating. Mendoza’s lone touchdown came late in the fourth quarter, connecting on an 8-yard strike to wideout Elijah Sarratt, affectionately nicknamed ‘Waffle House’ for his knack of always being open. “Indiana still has a lot of things will have to go right for them,” Pollack added. His key concern? Injuries.

“Specifically, the injury bug, like they can’t get guys nicked up at certain spots because… they don’t have the depth.” Senior wide receiver Tyler Morris wrapped up his 2025 season following a non-contact knee injury during spring camp. Again, ahead of the Oregon clash, the Big 10 pre-game availability report listed three players as injured.

Redshirt junior running back Lee Beebe Jr. was out. He had injured his knee in the third quarter of the week 3 win against Indiana State, a clean 73-0 win. On the defensive unit, senior safety Byron Bonds was out (knee injury), along with freshman Byron Baldwin. Sure, Indiana’s 6-0 start is impressive, but staying healthy could be as critical as any victory on the field.

Pollack further continued, noting that the roster has a lot of potential. “And no spot on the field is off limits because of Mendoza’s arm hose. like all the stuff that they can do with the RPOSs. Like that’s just it makes you that much tougher to defend because of his arm.” In the Big 10, aside from Ohio State, the Hoosiers are the only program going undefeated presently. Although the injury concerns have raised tensions at Cignetti’s camp, the head coach couldn’t be prouder of his boys, who achieved such a feat.

The offense was good, but Cignetti’s defense was more than impressive.

Curt Cignetti beams over the defense

Remember how the Ducks dethroned Georgia and Washington for the longest home-game winning streak? With the latest loss, Indiana broke its 18-game winning record at Autzen Stadium. “Our defense was tremendous in the second half, our kicking game was really good all day, and the offense made plays when they had to,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. “Mendoza extended plays, made plays with his legs. And the play to Sarratt, obviously, was huge, huge.”

With the relentless pressure from the defense, Dante Moore could barely complete 184 yards and one touchdown. Along with his two interceptions. Indiana’s defense was intimidating, limiting his time in the pocket, resulting in his season-high sacks. The Ducks’ star quarterback was just sacked one time over the season, but the Hoosiers got him six times. Linebacker Isaiah Jones sacked Moore for a 12-yard loss in the second quarter.

Moore admitted post-game, “(Indiana) had a lot of different concepts they’re running on defense.” Oregon’s offense scored its lowest total on Saturday. In the fleeting moments of the fourth quarter, with 2:06 left on the clock, Louis Moore and Brendan Franke intercepted, with Indiana chipping in a 22-yard field goal.