Indiana Crushes Alabama in Historic Rose Bowl 38-3 Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Top-seeded Indiana dismantled Alabama 38-3 for its first-ever Rose Bowl win. The undefeated Hoosiers now head to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Led by MVP lineman Pat Coogan, Indiana showed championship-level dominance.
Indiana’s Rose Bowl Breakthrough: Quick Looks
- Indiana defeats Alabama 38-3 in a commanding Rose Bowl performance
- Hoosiers secure their first Rose Bowl victory in program history
- Offensive lineman Pat Coogan earns rare MVP honors for physical dominance
- Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza throws three touchdowns in efficient outing
- Indiana outgains Alabama 407-193 in a complete team effort
- Alabama suffers biggest loss since 1998; QB Ty Simpson injured
- Coach Curt Cignetti’s team improves to 25-2 over two seasons
- Hoosiers face Oregon in CFP semifinal Peach Bowl on Jan. 9
- Indiana two wins away from first-ever national championship
- Alabama ends season at 11-4 after offensive struggles and injuries
Indiana Crushes Alabama in Historic Rose Bowl 38-3 Win
Deep Look
PASADENA, Calif. — Indiana’s football renaissance reached new heights on New Year’s Day as the top-ranked Hoosiers stormed past Alabama in a dominant 38-3 win at the Rose Bowl, securing their first victory in the historic game and advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
For a program that hadn’t won a bowl game since the 1991 Copper Bowl and hadn’t appeared in the Rose Bowl since 1968, the victory marked a transformational milestone — not just a win, but a statement. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has rapidly evolved from a perennial Big Ten bottom-dweller to a legitimate national title contender.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, fresh off becoming Indiana’s first Heisman Trophy winner, threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns. But it was 311-pound center Pat Coogan who stole the spotlight, earning Offensive MVP honors — a rare feat for an offensive lineman and a symbol of the Hoosiers’ trench dominance.
“Probably the first offensive lineman MVP ever,” Coogan said, beaming as teammates mobbed him on the postgame stage. “We just believe in each other. It’s been non-stop growth.”
Indiana (14-0, No. 1 CFP seed) overwhelmed Alabama (11-4, No. 9) from start to finish, jumping out to a 24-0 lead and controlling the game with a physicality and discipline that left the Crimson Tide reeling.
The win sends Indiana to Atlanta for a Peach Bowl semifinal clash with No. 5 Oregon on January 9 — a rematch of Indiana’s 30-20 win in Eugene earlier in the season.
A Complete Team Performance
The Hoosiers’ dominance began early with a methodical 84-yard, 16-play drive capped by a field goal early in the second quarter. Indiana’s defense then stuffed Alabama on a fourth-and-1 attempt, setting up Mendoza’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker.
‘Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson struggled before suffering a rib injury late in the first half. His replacement, freshman Austin Mack, led a drive for a field goal in the third quarter — Alabama’s only points of the game — but Indiana answered immediately with rushing touchdowns by Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby.
Black finished with 99 yards on the ground, while wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt each caught touchdown passes. Indiana’s offense was efficient, and the defense suffocating — holding Alabama to just 193 total yards and forcing multiple turnovers.
“The mindset was strong,” Cignetti said. “Alabama made some plays early, but we settled in, made our adjustments, and finished strong. It’s a big win against a program with Alabama’s tradition.”
Alabama Falters Again in Pasadena
For Alabama, the loss mirrors their last appearance in the Rose Bowl under former coach Nick Saban. The Tide, now under second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, ended their season with a thud just a week after a strong performance against Oklahoma.
DeBoer acknowledged the frustration. “Losing doesn’t sit well for us. We can be upset,” he said. “But credit to Indiana. They outplayed us across the board.”
Alabama’s inability to run the football — a problem all season — proved fatal again. The offensive line was overmatched, and the Tide never found rhythm, managing just 151 yards before garbage-time plays inflated their total.
The Cignetti Effect
Indiana’s transformation under Curt Cignetti is one of the most remarkable stories in college football. Taking over a program with the most losses in FBS history, Cignetti has led the Hoosiers to a 25-2 record over two seasons. They reached the College Football Playoff last season but fell short — this time, they look primed to finish the job.
The Peach Bowl matchup with Oregon will be the Hoosiers’ biggest test yet. The Ducks shut out Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl and will be seeking revenge after their earlier home loss to Indiana. A national title game appearance is on the line.
A Symbolic Victory
As the final seconds ticked away, the pro-Indiana crowd at the Rose Bowl chanted “Hoosier Daddy?” in celebration, savoring a moment that generations of fans had waited decades to see. The skies cleared after nearly a day of rain, as if to mark the occasion for a program that has now fully stepped into the national spotlight.
The Hoosiers are no longer a Cinderella story. They’re the favorite.
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