The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, has seen its fair share of unforgettable moments, but on January 1, 2026, it played host to a College Football Playoff quarterfinal that will be etched in the memories of Indiana Hoosiers fans for years to come. In a first-ever meeting between No. 1 Indiana and No. 9 Alabama, the Hoosiers delivered an emphatic 38-3 victory in front of a roaring crowd of 90,278, stamping their ticket to the CFP semifinal and sending a message to the rest of the college football world.
Entering the contest, Indiana was riding high after a gritty 13-10 win over Ohio State to clinch the Big Ten title, maintaining their perfect, undefeated record. Alabama, on the other hand, had survived a 34-24 battle against Oklahoma, overcoming an early deficit to secure their place in the quarterfinal. Despite Alabama’s storied history and reputation for postseason magic, oddsmakers installed them as seven-point underdogs—a rare sight for the Crimson Tide faithful.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Indiana’s edge was more than just theoretical. The Hoosiers’ elite fundamentals and balanced offense, paired with a suffocating pass defense, set the tone early. The game’s first scoring drive showcased Indiana’s discipline and patience. Backed up to their own three-yard line, quarterback Fernando Mendoza orchestrated a masterful 16-play, 84-yard march. He completed all six of his passes on the drive, and running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black chipped away at the Alabama front. After nearly nine minutes of clock-chewing football, kicker Nicolas Radicic split the uprights from 31 yards out, giving Indiana a 3-0 lead. The only hiccup? Some headset communication issues that briefly stalled the drive in the red zone.
Alabama, facing an early deficit, tried to shake things up with an aggressive call on their second possession. Facing 4th and 1 from their own 34, the Crimson Tide opted to go for it. But the Hoosier defense was ready—Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy stopped Germie Bernard short, handing Indiana the ball in prime territory. Just a few plays later, Mendoza found Charlie Becker on a 21-yard touchdown strike, pushing the lead to 10-0 and electrifying the Indiana faithful.
"Fernando Mendoza finds Charlie Becker, touchdown Hoosiers!" ESPN reported as the Hoosiers began to seize control. Alabama’s offense, so often a force in big games, struggled to find rhythm. Quarterback Ty Simpson, projected by computer models to finish under 240.5 passing yards—a number he’d failed to hit in four straight games—faced relentless pressure. On a critical drive late in the second quarter, Simpson scrambled for nine yards but was hammered by Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds, who forced a fumble that Isaiah Jones quickly recovered. The turnover proved costly for Alabama.
With just over three minutes left in the half, Indiana took over and methodically marched 58 yards in 11 plays. Mendoza capped the drive by connecting with Omar Cooper Jr. for a touchdown with just 20 seconds left in the half. Radicic’s extra point made it 17-0, and the Hoosiers jogged to the locker room with all the momentum. As ESPN College Football proclaimed, "Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza can’t be stopped against Alabama."
The third quarter brought more of the same. Alabama’s opening possession fizzled, and Indiana responded with a 10-play, 79-yard drive, highlighted by Mendoza’s third touchdown pass of the afternoon—a 24-yard dart to Elijah Sarratt. Mendoza scrambled three times for 28 yards on that drive, showing off the dual-threat ability that has made him a Heisman winner and a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Alabama finally got on the board in the second half, thanks to a field goal engineered by backup quarterback Austin Mack. But any hopes of a Crimson Tide rally were quickly dashed. Indiana answered with a lightning-quick six-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Kaelon Black’s 25-yard touchdown run. The Hoosiers’ lead ballooned to 31-3 early in the fourth quarter, and the party was on in the Indiana section of the Rose Bowl.
The Hoosiers weren’t done yet. After forcing another Alabama three-and-out, Indiana’s offense struck again, this time with Roman Hemby breaking free for an 18-yard touchdown run. That score extended the lead to 38-3 with just over ten minutes remaining, effectively sealing one of the most dominant playoff performances in recent memory.
Indiana’s offensive stars sparkled all afternoon. Mendoza finished an ultra-efficient 14 of 16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to a variety of weapons. Black carried 15 times for 99 yards and a score, while Hemby added 89 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Sarratt led the receivers with four grabs for 40 yards and a touchdown, Cooper Jr. added three catches for 45 yards and a score, and Becker chipped in two catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Riley Nowakowski was a steady presence with three receptions for 36 yards.
Defensively, the Hoosiers were just as impressive. Aiden Fisher recorded seven tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble, while Devan Boykin matched him with seven tackles and three for loss. Ponds, whose forced fumble set up a key touchdown, added three tackles. In total, Indiana’s defense held Alabama to just 193 total yards—a stunning feat against a program known for offensive firepower.
For Alabama, the bright spots were few and far between. Computer projections had suggested that running back Jam Miller could surpass 31.5 rushing yards, and receiver Germie Bernard might eclipse 50.5 receiving yards, but the Crimson Tide simply couldn’t get traction against Indiana’s relentless defense. Simpson, who was projected for a modest 213.58 passing yards, never found his rhythm before being replaced by Mack in the second half.
With the win, Indiana advances to face Oregon in the Peach Bowl semifinal on Friday, January 9, in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, and the Hoosiers will carry the confidence of an undefeated season and a Rose Bowl rout into their next challenge.
The Rose Bowl quarterfinal wasn’t just a win for Indiana—it was a statement. The Hoosiers, once overlooked on the national stage, are now just one victory away from a shot at the national championship. After dominating Alabama in every phase, Indiana looks every bit the part of a team on the brink of history.
