Indiana opens Peach Bowl with pick-6 of Oregon and Dante Moore

D'Angelo Ponds read Moore's eyes the whole way.

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: DB D'Angelo Ponds #5 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates during the Alabama Crimson Tide versus Indiana Hoosiers College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: DB D'Angelo Ponds #5 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates during the Alabama Crimson Tide versus Indiana Hoosiers College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Peach Bowl did not start well at all for Oregon.

After the Ducks received the opening kickoff, Indiana defensive back D'Angelo Ponds picked off Oregon QB Dante Moore on first down and returned the ball for a 25-yard pick-6 to open the game.

It was Moore’s third interception against Indiana in just over a game’s worth of action. The Hoosiers intercepted Moore twice in their 30-20 regular-season win over the Ducks in October.

Indiana entered the game as a 3-point favorite thanks to its undefeated season and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. And also because of a defense that forces a lot of turnovers. Ponds’ pick was the 18th of the season over 15 games for the Hoosiers. Indiana has now forced 27 turnovers all season — that’s just under two per game.

Category: General Sports