An Indiana band delivered the national anthem before the Peach Bowl, which saw No. 1 Indiana face off against No. 5 Oregon in a high-stakes matchup with a College Football Playoff berth hanging in the balance.

The national anthem performance was somewhat unconventional: rather than featuring a celebrity or solo performer, the Indiana band commanded center stage. The rendition generated mixed reactions across social media. “The National Anthem should have been a combination of the bands from both schools. IMO,” one critic posted.

“Gotta be the worst damn National Anthem I’ve ever listened to,” another college football fan commented. It came after Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was given an NFL Draft advice that speaks volumes about the New York Jets.

However, others responded more favorably. “For those who missed the Star Spangled Banner at the Peach Bowl, Indiana vs Oregon, you missed the best live performance by the Indiana Band,” one supporter shared on Twitter.

“I haven’t heard the National Anthem played like this in Decades. Truly inspirational for Americans. As it once was.”

A fan pointed out that the band’s Indiana roots might have influenced the crowd’s response.

“A quick observation during the National Anthem for Peach Bowl,” they penned.

“The camera panned the crowd and the fans (middle-aged fans) for Oregon stood with their arms folded, staring forward, while the Indiana fans, young and old, stood with their hands on their hearts singing the words to the National Anthem, while the Oregon fans stood like statues.”

The Indiana band, known as The Marching Hundred, joined forces with Oregon’s band to get the crowd going with a series of pre-game medleys.

One supporter believed the Oregon fans’ response would affect the team’s on-field showing. “I was on Oregon to win this game. Then the National Anthem played,” they posted.

“They scanned the stands. EVERY SINGLE OREGON FAN HAD ARMS CROSSED AND WAS CLEARLY NOT HAPPY WITH THE ANTHEM. Incredible Go back and look. Go Hoosiers.”

Oregon did, in fact, endure a disastrous opening to the contest, with Moore throwing a pick-6 on the opening drive.

The Ducks struggled to contain quarterback Fernando Mendoza and the dominant Indiana offense during the opening half. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner connected on 10 of his 11 attempts for 110 yards and three touchdowns as the Hoosiers surged to a 35-7 lead at the break.

Indiana continued to dominate in the second half, eventually pulling off a 56-22 rout of Oregon to secure a spot in the national championship game against Miami.

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