Top-seeded Indiana routs Alabama
38-3 for its first Rose Bowl victory, roaring into CFP semifinals
[January 02, 2026]
By GREG BEACHAM
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Fernando Mendoza literally jumped for joy
when the Heisman Trophy winner learned he was not the offensive MVP
of Indiana's dominant victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
The quarterback and his teammates ran across the celebration stage
to mob 311-pound center Pat Coogan, who was visibly shocked to be
the center of attention at another landmark moment for these
incredible, unbeaten Hoosiers.
“It's probably the first, if I had to guess, offensive lineman MVP
award,” Coogan said with a grin. “These guys are unbelievable. The
belief that we have in each other ... it’s just been never-ending
growth, never-ending improvement.”
Coogan's improbable honor was a beautiful bit of symbolism that
recognized the manner in which these hard-nosed Hoosiers physically
manhandled the Crimson Tide to reach the College Football Playoff
semifinals with their 38-3 victory Thursday.
Just two years into one of the most incredible team turnarounds in
recent sports history, Indiana was simply tougher, meaner and more
precise on both sides of the ball than blue-blooded Bama — and now
the Hoosiers (14-0, No. 1 CFP seed) are headed to the Peach Bowl on
Jan. 9 for a CFP semifinal rematch with fifth-seeded Oregon.
Mendoza passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns in his first game
since winning his school's first Heisman, but the Hoosiers won the
Rose Bowl for the first time in school history by dominating the
Crimson Tide (11-4, No. 9 CFP seed) at the line of scrimmage.
Indiana scored the game's first 24 points before pouring it on with
fourth-quarter rushing TDs from Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby,
wrapping up a jubilant afternoon in the 112th edition of the
Granddaddy of Them All.
“I thought our mindset was really good,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti
said. “It was a hard-fought game early. Alabama made some plays.
They had us off balance offensively. But we were able to make the
plays when we needed to and take over in the second half. It's a big
win against a team that's got a lot of tradition like that.”
Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt caught TD passes,
while Black rushed for 99 yards. Indiana outgained Alabama 407-193,
delighting a decidedly pro-Indiana crowd that celebrated its
long-struggling team’s first Rose Bowl game appearance since 1968
with chants of “Hoosier Daddy?” in the final minutes.
Indiana had not won any bowl game since the Copper Bowl in 1991, but
history has been no match for Cignetti and his Hoosiers during the
coach's two transcendent seasons.
The next challenge is even bigger: Oregon routed Texas Tech 23-0
earlier Thursday in the Orange Bowl.Indiana beat the then-No. 3
Ducks 30-20 in Eugene last October in one of Cignetti's most
impressive Big Ten victories.
Indiana is two wins away from the first national championship in
school history after becoming the first team to advance following a
first-round bye in the current 12-team playoff format. The first six
bye teams — including the first two this season — couldn't come back
strong from an extra-long layoff, but the Hoosiers took care of
business while improving to 25-2 under Cignetti.
The Crimson Tide's second season under Kalen DeBoer ended in the
same venue as their final season under Nick Saban two years ago.
Alabama was outclassed one week after an impressive road win over
Oklahoma, managing just 151 yards before the meaningless final
minutes of the Tide's biggest blowout loss since September 1998.
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Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) makes a touchdown catch
past Alabama defensive back Dijon Lee Jr. (5) during the second half
of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
“We can be upset, because losing doesn't sit well
for us, and we can be frustrated about it,” DeBoer said.
Ty Simpson passed for 67 yards before he cracked a rib late in the
first half, and backup Austin Mack replaced him in the third
quarter. Mack immediately got the Tide rolling on a 65-yard drive
leading to a short field goal, but the Hoosiers responded with two
unstoppable TD drives.
Indiana controlled the famous Rose Bowl turf, which stayed pristine
despite nearly 24 hours of steady rain before kickoff. The storms
dissipated while the Hoosiers took their first-half lead, and blue
skies appeared early in the second half while the Hoosiers closed in
on history.
The physical domination began when Indiana's second drive stretched
84 yards and 16 plays over nearly nine minutes before Nicolas
Radicic's 31-yard field goal on the first snap of the second
quarter.
Indiana's defense then stopped Alabama on fourth and 1 at the Tide
34, and Mendoza fired a long, high pass to the leaping Becker four
plays later for a 21-yard touchdown.
Simpson got hurt when he fumbled in Indiana territory after a
courageous first-down scramble, and the Hoosiers methodically drove
for Mendoza's 1-yard TD pass with 17 seconds left to Cooper, the
hero of Indiana's dramatic victory over Penn State.
The victory is the latest step in the monumental two-season
turnaround of what was the losingest program in college football
when Cignetti took charge. After winning 11 games and reaching the
CFP last season, the Hoosiers steamrolled through their schedule
this fall before beating defending national champion Ohio State for
the Big Ten title and ascending to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25
for the first time.
Takeaways
Alabama: It was remarkable to see the most successful program of the
21st century get dominated up front. The Tide's inability to run the
ball was a season-long problem, but it was particularly painful in
Pasadena. Whether through personnel or scheme, DeBoer's offense must
take a step forward next year to reach the standard expected at Bama.
Indiana: The Hoosiers acted like they've been here before, even
though they haven't. Cignetti's group has a businesslike demeanor
that wasn't remotely altered by Alabama's reputation and history.
They're the obvious favorites to win it all.
Up next
Alabama: Host East Carolina on Sept. 5.
Indiana: A trip to Atlanta to face the powerhouse Ducks, who lost
last season's Rose Bowl to Ohio State as the No. 1 seed.
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