Indiana Stuns Alabama in Historic Rose Bowl Blowout to Reach CFP Semifinal
What unfolded at the Rose Bowl was something almost no one saw coming, especially on a stage this big. Indiana didn’t just beat Alabama in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal — the Hoosiers absolutely overwhelmed the Crimson Tide, cruising to a shocking 38–3 victory and punching their ticket to the CFP semifinal. And the way it happened made it feel historic from start to finish.
From the opening drives, control of the game was firmly taken by Indiana. Alabama was kept scoreless through the first quarter, which itself felt unusual for a Rose Bowl game. Once Indiana got going, though, the momentum never slowed. A long, methodical drive early in the second quarter ended with a field goal, and from there, the floodgates were opened. Big plays were made, mistakes were forced, and Alabama was left searching for answers that never really came.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza looked calm and confident in his return to action, throwing for 192 yards and three touchdowns. It was his first game since winning the school’s first-ever Heisman Trophy, and it was played like a statement performance. Touchdown catches were hauled in by Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper Jr., and Elijah Sarratt, while the ground game sealed things late with fourth-quarter rushing scores from Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby. By the end of the night, Indiana had outgained Alabama 407 to 193, a stat that told the story just as clearly as the scoreboard did.
What made the scene even more special was the atmosphere. The crowd leaned heavily toward Indiana, and chants echoed through the stadium as fans celebrated the program’s first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968. For a team that hadn’t won a bowl game since 1991, this wasn’t just a win — it felt like a long-awaited arrival on college football’s biggest stage.
On the other sideline, Alabama struggled throughout the night. Quarterback Ty Simpson was held in check and later replaced, and the offense never found rhythm. A lone field goal was all the Crimson Tide could manage, marking the most lopsided postseason loss in program history. It was a humbling end to Alabama’s season and a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in this new playoff era.
For Indiana, this victory was another milestone in an incredible two-year turnaround under Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers now head to the Peach Bowl for a CFP semifinal rematch with Oregon, just two wins away from the first national championship in school history. And after what happened in Pasadena, it’s clear this team isn’t done making history yet.
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