Indiana Stuns Alabama in Rose Bowl to Reach CFP Semis
Hoosiers dominate Crimson Tide 38-3, set up semifinal rematch with Oregon Ducks
The Indiana Hoosiers delivered one of the most decisive wins in recent College Football Playoff history on Thursday, routing the Alabama Crimson Tide 38-3 in the 112th Rose Bowl and advancing to the CFP semifinals for a shot at history.
Top-seeded Indiana, now 14-0, controlled every facet of the game at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium, turning a quiet regular season into a statement finish. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza was sharp all afternoon, completing 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, and the Hoosiers defense held Alabama to just 193 yards of offense in a performance that left fans cheering well before the final whistle.
“Fernando, like everybody else, just has to execute,” Coach Curt Cignetti said before kickoff — and that’s exactly what his team did, delivering a stunning display of discipline and fire.
Indiana opened up a 17-0 halftime lead and never looked back, with touchdown catches by Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, while running backs Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby added rushing scores in the fourth quarter.
Alabama’s offense never found traction. Starter Ty Simpson exited early with an apparent injury after managing just 67 passing yards, and backup Austin Mack could only help the Tide muster a lone field goal. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit voiced a sentiment shared by many viewers when he said Alabama’s effort “looked like they feel defeated” amid Indiana’s relentless pace.
The victory marks Indiana’s first Rose Bowl win in school history and its first bowl victory since 1991, capping a season that has rewritten program lore.
With the Rose Bowl in the books, the Hoosiers now turn their sights to the CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Jan. 9, where they will face the No. 5 Oregon Ducks for a chance to reach the national championship game.
Oregon advanced after a 23-0 shutout win over Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl quarterfinal, a performance anchored by a defense that forced four turnovers and kept one of the nation’s top offenses off the board.
The semifinal will be a rematch of a regular-season game on Oct. 11, when Indiana edged the Ducks 30-20 — a gritty win that laid the groundwork for the Hoosiers’ first 14-0 season.
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