On Jan. 1, the Indiana Hoosiers once again demonstrated why they remain undefeated, dominating Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California — America's oldest college football bowl game, known as "The Granddaddy of Them All.”
Indiana returned to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1968 with a 13-0 record and ranked No. 1 for the first time in program history. Alabama, on the other hand, last played in the Rose Bowl in 2021 and came in with an 11-3 record, ranked No. 9. Both teams also entered the game from opposite ends of college football history: Indiana with the second-most losses at 715 and Alabama with the third-most wins at 984.
The first quarter was scoreless, the first time in 26 years that the Rose Bowl Game saw a scoreless opening quarter. The slow start, however, gave no indication of the complete domination that Indiana would have for the rest of the game.
Indiana’s first points came early in the second quarter on a field goal, giving them a 3-0 lead. The Hoosiers extended it to 10-0 when quarterback Fernando Mendoza connected with wide receiver Charlie Becker on a 21-yard touchdown pass. Alabama was able to regain possession of the ball, but quarterback Ty Simpson fumbled after a hard hit. Indiana capitalized, with Mendoza finding wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for a second touchdown to make it 17-0.
Indiana continued the momentum they had built at the end of the second quarter. After forcing Alabama to punt following three plays that failed to gain 10 yards, the Hoosiers got the ball back. Mendoza connected with wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, this time on a 24-yard touchdown pass for the touchdown.
Simpson was benched after taking a hard hit to his back and appeared injured. Austin Mack replaced Simpson as quarterback and led Alabama down the field, but a 5-yard loss on a pass forced them to settle for a field goal, making the score 24-3.
Alabama’s field goal did little to shift momentum in the fourth quarter as Indiana quickly responded, advancing 46 yards on two plays before running back Kaelon Black scored on a 25-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 31-3. Indiana added one more touchdown on an 18-yard run by running back Roman Hemby to seal the game.
Alabama’s three points were not enough for them to gain momentum and get back into the game. After advancing 46 yards on two plays, Indiana scored on a 25-yard touchdown from running back Kaelon Black which extended the score to 31-3 with 14:21 remaining on the clock. Indiana scored one more touchdown on an 18-yard run from running back Roman Hemby to seal the win for the Hoosiers.
Indiana dominated the game from start to finish. The defense didn't allow Alabama to advance close enough for a touchdown, while the offense ran through Alabama’s defense and scored five touchdowns. Indiana handed Alabama its worst postseason loss since the 1976 Orange Bowl, when the Crimson Tide fell to Nebraska 38-6.
Indiana made history in multiple ways. The win made them the first team in the expanded playoff format to win a postseason game after receiving a first-round bye, which they earned by winning the Big Ten. Before this win, teams with a bye had gone 0-6 in the playoffs.
“I’m very confident in the way the team is playing,” Mendoza said in an article written by the New York Times. “It’s not just myself. I think our entire team and coaching staff really enjoy football, and I think that’s why we work so hard at it. We work really hard every single day because not only do we enjoy football, we also enjoy winning.”
Indiana will face Big Ten rival Oregon on Jan. 9 in the Peach Bowl semifinal in Atlanta, looking to punch their ticket to the CFP championship game. The Hoosiers defeated Oregon 30-20 earlier this season in October, but the Ducks can’t be taken lightly as they won the Big Ten championship in 2024.
“We will have a very big challenge ahead of us next week,” Cignetti said in an article written by CBS Sports. "It's very hard to beat a really good football team twice. There’s no doubt about that.”
Citlali Sanchez is a senior majoring in sports journalism, with a minor in sport marketing. She enjoys going out for boba and watching soccer and anime. She can also be found volunteering at sporting events in town or out at coffee shops.
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