IU football: Three quick reasons the Hoosiers beat Oregon, highlights, stats

Indiana beat Oregon by a final score of 30-20 on Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium.

Below are three quick reasons why the Hoosiers won, along with highlights and final stats.

Indiana (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) returns home to take on Michigan State on homecoming weekend in Bloomington.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the game from The Daily Hoosier.

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Three quick reasons why Indiana beat Oregon

1. Productive pass rush.  Indiana’s defensive front had a big challenge ahead on Saturday against a strong Oregon offensive line. And the Hoosiers made things happen up front. IU finished the game with six sacks and four QB hurries. Linebacker Isaiah Jones recorded one of each, and added a second tackle for loss. Linebacker Aiden Fisher and defensive end Kellan Wyatt each posted a team-high 1.5 sacks. Bryant Haines’ defense was persistent all day, putting frequent pressure on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. It played a huge role in the outcome.

2. IU offense never blinked.  The Hoosiers went blow for blow with one of the best teams in the country on Saturday. Oregon came up with several big moments that put pressure on Curt Cignetti’s team, including a long touchdown pass in the first quarter and a pick six early in the fourth quarter. But Indiana got right back up every time. The Hoosiers answered both of those touchdowns on their next drive, with touchdowns of their own — and they answered a third quarter Oregon field goal with another score.

3. IU’s biggest playmakers stole the show.  With so much star power on the field on both sides, it was Indiana’s playmakers who came up the biggest. Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black wore down the UO defense and Hemby punched in two short-yardage touchdowns. Fernando Mendoza orchestrated so many clutch drives and big moments. Elijah Sarratt got open in those big spots and made things happen, the way he so often does. Fisher was all over the field defensively. Louis Moore came down with a tipped ball interception in the fourth quarter that helped IU extend the lead. Jones picked off Dante Moore to seal it. The Hoosiers stepped up in every department.

HIGHLIGHTS

FINAL STATS