Indiana Delivers Historic 38-3 Rose Bowl Rout Over Alabama, Advances to CFP Semifinals
PASADENA, Calif. — Indiana University stunned college football fans with a commanding 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl on January 1, marking the most lopsided postseason defeat in Crimson Tide history. The Hoosiers, led by head coach Curt Cignetti, showcased a dominant performance that not only ended Alabama’s postseason hopes but also propelled Indiana into the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals for the first time in program history.
Backup quarterback Austin Mack stepped in for Alabama’s starter Ty Simpson, but the substitution failed to stem Indiana’s offensive surge. Indiana’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza, fresh off winning the school’s first Heisman Trophy, threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns in his return to the field. The Hoosiers opened the game with a 24-point run and extended their lead with fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns by Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby, who rushed for 99 yards. Wide receivers Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper Jr., and Elijah Sarratt also caught touchdown passes, helping Indiana outgain Alabama 407-193 yards.
The victory was a historic milestone for Indiana, which had not won a bowl game since the 1991 Copper Bowl and was making its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968. The jubilant crowd at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena echoed chants of “Hoosier Daddy?” as the team celebrated the resounding win.
Indiana’s triumph sets up a CFP semifinal clash against fifth-seeded Oregon in the Peach Bowl on January 9. The Ducks, who routed Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl earlier the same day, will face a Hoosier team that defeated them 30-20 in Eugene during the regular season — one of Cignetti’s signature victories in his two transformative seasons at Indiana.
With the win, Indiana improved to an impressive 25-2 under Cignetti and became the first team to advance after a first-round bye in the current 12-team playoff format, overcoming the challenges that have previously hindered bye teams. Alabama, meanwhile, suffered its largest margin of defeat since a 42-6 loss to Arkansas in 1998.
College football analysts and fans alike have hailed Indiana’s performance as a historic upset and a testament to the program’s rapid rise. The CFP semifinals will be closely watched as Indiana seeks to continue its unprecedented run toward the school’s first-ever national championship.
For more on the College Football Playoff and game schedules, visit the College Football Playoff official site. Detailed statistics and historical records can be found on the NCAA website. Fans looking to follow the Peach Bowl and other CFP events can check the Peach Bowl official page. For updates on Alabama and Indiana football programs, the respective university athletics sites provide comprehensive coverage: Alabama Crimson Tide and Indiana Hoosiers.
Leave a Reply