PASADENA– The NO. 1 Indiana Hoosiers demolished the NO. 9 Alabama Crimson 38-3 in the 137th Rose Bowl Game on Thursday, January 1 at the Rose Bowl.
Whether it was luck or divine intervention, the rain stopped right before kickoff. It was a scoreless first quarter as both teams got off to a slow start.
“That first drive went a little fast, and I was like calm down, once we got our feet wet it was boom,” exclaimed Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The potential number one pick in this year’s NFL Draft spoke to Canyon News outside the winning locker room.
Boom is an appropriate word for the Hoosiers offensive fireworks in the second quarter. Fernando Mendoza found an open Charlie Becker in the back of the end zone for the touchdown.
Indiana’s defense forced another turnover just before halftime, too, after Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson tried to scramble for a first down. He was hit hard by D’Angelo Ponds and lost the ball, which led to a 1-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. right before the break.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza led Indiana’s offense to an incredibly efficient performance. Mendoza finished the game 14-of-16 for 192 yards, with three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a sparkling QBR of 96.7.
Indiana ran the ball for 215 yards, as Kaelon Black finished with 15 carries, 99 yards and a touchdown, while Roman Hemby had 89 yards and a score on 18 carries.
Indiana has a ferocious defense that smothered Alabama in this lopsided contest. Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson was knocked out of the game with a cracked rib.
Alabama managed just 30 rushing yards and five first downs while averaging less than four yards per play in the opening 30 minutes of the game.
Just two years ago, Indiana was one of the worst teams in college football. A complete transformation for the school that historically has been recognized for their incredible basketball program..
A man named Curt Cignetti arrived in Bloomington, and has quickly become a legend beloved by the fans. When your record as Head Coach is 24-2, that success leads to championships and bronze statues.
The Hoosiers’ 14 wins this season marks a school record, which was set last year, and this is now the first time in program history that they’ve had back-to-back seasons with double digit wins.
Indiana will now take on Oregon next week in Georgia at the Peach Bowl. The Ducks rolled past Texas Tech 23-0 in their quarterfinals matchup at the Orange Bowl earlier on Thursday.
The winner of that contest will advance to the national championship game, a place Oregon hasn’t been to in over a decade. Indiana hasn’t even come close.
That College Football Playoff semifinal game will be a rematch, as the two teams faced off at Autzen Stadium on October 11. The Hoosiers scored a 30–20 road victory in that one, and the Ducks will be looking for revenge next week.
Mendoza is well aware of the Ducks desire to avenge the regular season loss at Autzen Stadium.
“Its really tough beating them twice, everyone knows that. Its going to be at a neutral site, the last game was a coin toss,” explained Mendoza.
Now, they’ll meet again with a spot in the National Championship game on the line.
