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Top-ranked Indiana delivered one of the most dominant performances in Rose Bowl history, overwhelming No. 9 Alabama 38–3 in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal before 90,278 fans at the Rose Bowl Stadium. The victory not only sent the Hoosiers to the CFP semifinals, but also marked Indiana’s first-ever Rose Bowl win — and its first bowl victory of any kind since 1991.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The rain never came, but the storm was unmistakable.
Top-ranked Indiana delivered one of the most dominant performances in Rose Bowl history, overwhelming No. 9 Alabama 38–3 in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal before 90,278 fans at the Rose Bowl Stadium. The victory not only sent the Hoosiers to the CFP semifinals, but also marked Indiana’s first-ever Rose Bowl win — and its first bowl victory of any kind since 1991.
Behind a relentless performance in the trenches and near-flawless quarterback play, Indiana (14–0), the No. 1 seed in the expanded CFP, controlled the game from the opening kickoff in the 112th edition of “The Granddaddy of Them All.”
Mendoza Shines as Indiana Dominates Up Front
Fernando Mendoza continued his remarkable season, completing 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns in his first game since winning Indiana’s first-ever Heisman Trophy. Calm, efficient and decisive, Mendoza carved up the Crimson Tide secondary while Indiana’s offensive line imposed its will.
Wide receivers Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper Jr., and Elijah Sarratt each hauled in touchdown passes, while running back Kaelon Black rushed for 99 yards as the Hoosiers outgained Alabama 407–193.
Indiana scored the game’s first 24 points, stunning an Alabama team that never found its footing. By the fourth quarter, chants of “Hoosier Daddy?” echoed through the stadium as a heavily pro-Indiana crowd celebrated a program long associated with basketball now owning college football’s grandest stage.
Fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns by Black and Roman Hemby sealed the rout and capped one of the most lopsided CFP games to date.
Alabama Searches for Answers
The Crimson Tide (11–4) struggled offensively throughout the night. Starting quarterback Ty Simpson was limited to 67 passing yards on 12-of-16 attempts and appeared shaken after taking a hard hit late in the first half that caused a fumble.
With Indiana ahead 24–0, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer turned to backup quarterback Austin Mack, a Loomis native, midway through the third quarter in search of a spark. Mack responded with energy, completing 4 of 5 passes for 46 yards and scrambling for 17 more, driving Alabama to the Indiana 5-yard line.
But a costly loss on a pass play stalled the drive, forcing the Tide to settle for a field goal — their only points of the night — making it 24–3.
Shortly thereafter, Indiana briefly turned to Alberto Mendoza, spelling his brother Fernando at quarterback as the outcome was no longer in doubt.
A Program Transformed Under Cignetti
Indiana’s rise under head coach Curt Cignetti has been nothing short of historic. Once a perennial Big Ten afterthought, the Hoosiers are now undefeated, Rose Bowl champions and national title contenders.
Indiana had not appeared in the Rose Bowl since 1968 and had not won a bowl game since the Copper Bowl in 1991. Under Cignetti, history has been rewritten in just two transcendent seasons.
Eyes on the CFP Semifinal — and Record Viewership
The Hoosiers now head to the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 for a CFP semifinal rematch with No. 5 Oregon. Indiana defeated the Ducks 30–20 in Eugene last October, one of the most impressive road wins of the season. Oregon advanced by shutting out Texas Tech 23–0 earlier the same day.
Indiana’s Rose Bowl victory also made television history.
The CFP quarterfinal averaged 23.9 million viewers, a new record for the 12-team playoff format. The broadcast peaked at approximately 25.6 million viewers — up 13% from last season and higher than 18 of the previous 22 CFP semifinals.
It was the most-watched of the four CFP quarterfinals by a wide margin. Miami’s win over Ohio State drew 19 million viewers, Ole Miss’ victory over Georgia reached 18.7 million, and Oregon’s shutout of Texas Tech finished just under 16 million.
On a night built for legends, Indiana didn’t just win the Rose Bowl — the Hoosiers announced themselves as college football’s new standard.