Alabama handed worst bowl loss as Indiana breaks College Football Playoff trend with win at Rose Bowl

Top-seeded Indiana delivered a stunning statement on college football’s biggest stage, crushing ninth-seeded Alabama 38-3 in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Thursday. Riding on a near-flawless performance from Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers dominated from start to finish and advanced to the semifinals, where they will face fifth-seeded Oregon in the Peach Bowl on January 9.


For the second straight year in the 12-team College Football Playoff, lower seeds surged early in round two. But as night fell at the Rose Bowl, Indiana made the loudest statement of all, overwhelming Alabama in a humiliating rout. Alabama’s lone points came on a late third-quarter field goal. The loss marked the largest bowl defeat in Crimson Tide history and capped a historic night for Indiana, which earned its first Rose Bowl win and first bowl victory since 1991.



Mendoza was sensational, throwing for 192 yards and three touchdowns while completing 14 of 16 passes - more touchdown throws than incompletions. Indiana (14-0) controlled the game physically and strategically, finishing with 215 rushing yards, more than Alabama’s 193 total yards.


Kaelon Black led the ground attack with 99 yards and a touchdown, while Roman Hemby added 89 yards and a score. Both backs found the end zone early in the fourth quarter as Indiana pulled away.

The Hoosiers set the tone early, forcing Alabama to punt on its opening drive before marching 16 plays and nearly nine minutes for a field goal. A failed fourth-down attempt by Alabama in the second quarter swung momentum decisively, leading to Mendoza’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker.


Indiana capitalized again late in the half after a hard hit forced a fumble from Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, turning it into a short touchdown pass to Omar Cooper for a 17-0 halftime lead. Mendoza added another long scoring drive in the third quarter to make it 24-0.