Indiana erupts past Alabama 38-3 to reach CFP semifinals wiht Rose Bowl rout
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Indiana hammered Alabama 38-3 in the 112th Rose Bowl, seizing the top seed in the College Football Playoff and stamping it’s ticket to the semifinal round. The Hoosiers dominated from start to finish, delivering a statement win in Pasadena.
Fernando Mendoza connected on three touchdown passes and threw for 192 yards in his first game since earning the Heisman Trophy, guiding a relentless Indiana attack that overwhelmed the Crimson Tide at the line of scrimmage. The 14-0 hoosiers, ranked No. 1 in the CFP, walked off the field with the programme’s first Rose Bowl victory in school history.
Indiana jumped out to a 24-point first-half lead before sealing the win in the fourth quarter with two rushing TDs from Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby. Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt also found the end zone, and Black finished with 99 rushing yards as Indiana outgained Alabama 407-193 in front of a jubilant, pro-Indiana crowd.
The rout marked a historic moment for a program that hadn’t won a bowl since the Copper bowl in 1991 and has climbed under Curt Cignetti, who has steered the Hoosiers to extraordinary heights over two seasons. Indiana’s Rose Bowl appearance was its first since 1968, and the day’s lopsided result capped a remarkable turnaround for a team that rose to no. 1 after capturing the Big Ten title earlier this season.
On the field, Mendoza showed accuracy and poise, posting passing numbers that anchored Indiana’s offense. Alabama, meanwhile, managed just 151 yards of total offense and was unable to mount any sustained rush against a stocked Hoosier front. Ty Simpson finished with 67 passing yards before Austin Mack came on in the third quarter and led a late Tide drive that produced a field goal before Indiana answered with another scoring sequence.
Indiana’s defense forced a key stop on fourth-and-1 near the Tide 34, setting the stage for Becker’s 21-yard scoring grab in the ensuing drive. A late first-half fumble by Simpson and a methodical Hoosier march to Mendoza’s 1-yard TD pass to Cooper with 17 seconds remaining in the half pushed Indiana’s advantage further, and the second half saw Mendoza engineer a steady 79-yard drive that culminated in Sarratt’s 24-yard TD catch.
evergreen insights
Indiana’s win in Pasadena is more than a single game result; it underscores a sustained, rapid rebuild. Two seasons into Cignetti’s tenure, Indiana has built a culture of discipline and efficiency, taking full advantage of a favorable schedule to vault into the CFP conversation. The Rose Bowl victory also signals Indiana’s readiness to contend beyond its Big Ten boundaries, a notable shift for a program that once struggled to reach bowl games at all.
What’s next for Indiana and Alabama
The Hoosiers advance to the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 for a CFP semifinal showdown with Oregon, which hammered Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl. Indiana previously defeated Oregon 30-20 in Eugene last October, a win that remains a cornerstone of Cignetti’s Big Ten résumé. Indiana now faces two wins away from its first national championship in school history.
Alabama, coming off a strong win at Oklahoma, will regroup in the off-season with a focus on retooling its offense. The Tide are scheduled to open their next season with a home game against East Carolina, aiming to rebound from a tough Rose Bowl showing.
key numbers at a glance
| Statistic | Indiana | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 38 | 3 |
| Total Offense | 407 yards | 193 yards |
| Passing | 192 yards (Mendoza) | 67 yards (Simpson) |
| Rushing Leaders | Kaelon Black 99 yards | Team rushing limited |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 (Simpson fumble) |
Takeaways
Indiana displayed a level of composure and efficiency that belied its recent struggles, meeting Alabama with a physical, well-executed game plan. The defense controlled the line of scrimmage and repeatedly forced alabama into difficult situations, while Mendoza’s trio of scoring passes provided consistent scoring bursts.
Alabama’s slide in Pasadena exposed ongoing questions about its run game and consistency against elite competition. The program now has a clear mission to address offensive balance and production as it transitions into the next season.
Up next
Alabama hosts East Carolina in its season opener.Indiana travels to atlanta for a meeting with Oregon in a CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl.
Readers’ questions
- Which Indiana player most influenced the Rose bowl result, and why?
- What must Alabama change most to rebound and contend for a national title next season?
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as these two programs reshape their trajectories for the coming year.
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