Indiana Takes Control Early as Mendoza and Becker Strike at the Rose Bowl
So here’s what’s been unfolding in Pasadena, and it’s already shaping up to be one of those Rose Bowl games people talk about for years. Alabama and Indiana met in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, and from the opening moments, it was clear this wasn’t going to follow the usual script everyone expects when Alabama is involved.
The first quarter passed without a single point on the board, which in itself felt unusual for a stage this big. Alabama tried to assert itself early, but the offense kept stalling at key moments. Ty Simpson scrambled on a crucial third down, came up just short, and what followed became one of the early turning points of the game. A bold fourth-and-1 decision was made by Alabama, but it didn’t pay off. Indiana’s defense stood firm, stuffed the play, and suddenly the Hoosiers were handed momentum and excellent field position.
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That was when Indiana’s confidence really started to show. Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, looked calm and in complete control. Alabama brought pressure, sending blitz after blitz, but Indiana adjusted beautifully. The running backs were trusted with blitz pickup, deeper drop-backs were used, and the offense stayed patient. It all came together on a third-and-long when Mendoza spotted Charlie Becker streaking across the middle. The pass was fired in perfectly, the catch was secured, and just like that, Becker had scored the first touchdown of the game. Indiana went up 7-0, and the Rose Bowl crowd could feel the shift.
Alabama’s struggles continued into the second quarter. Drives were being cut short, punts were piling up, and Simpson looked increasingly uncomfortable in the pocket. Meanwhile, Indiana kept capitalizing. After another Alabama misstep, the Hoosiers needed just a few plays to strike again. Mendoza delivered another laser to Becker, this time for a 21-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 10-0. It was a sequence that highlighted not just execution, but preparation, as Alabama’s aggressive defensive calls were consistently being answered.
What stood out most was how composed Indiana looked. This is a program that came into the season with a long history of losses, yet here they were, undefeated, outcoaching and outplaying one of college football’s giants on the sport’s grandest stage. Alabama, on the other hand, was being forced into uncomfortable decisions and long-yardage situations, making any comeback feel like a steep climb.
As the game continued, one thing became clear: Indiana wasn’t intimidated by the moment or the opponent. The Hoosiers had seized control early, and Alabama was left searching for answers under the bright Rose Bowl lights.
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