Indiana Dominates Alabama 38-3 in Rose Bowl, Advances to CFP Semifinal
Indiana defeated Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, earning a College Football Playoff semifinal berth against Oregon in the Peach Bowl on January 9. This marks Alabama's worst postseason loss in program history and their largest margin of defeat since a 1998 loss to Arkansas.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns in his first game since winning the school's first Heisman Trophy. Indiana outgained Alabama 407 to 193 yards, with receivers Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper Jr., and Elijah Sarratt each catching touchdown passes. Running back Kaelon Black rushed for 99 yards.
The victory continues head coach Curt Cignetti's impressive two-season turnaround, bringing Indiana to a 25-2 record under his leadership and marking the program's first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968. Earlier this season, Indiana defeated No. 3 Oregon 30-20 in Eugene and will face Oregon again after they routed Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl.
Indiana is now two wins away from its first national championship and is the first team to advance after a first-round bye in the current 12-team playoff format.
