Indiana Steamrolls Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl
Indiana Hoosiers Dismantle the Crimson Tide
The Granddaddy of Them All, the Rose Bowl, a New Year’s Day tradition, brought Alabama and Indiana together. Could the Hoosiers finally break the winless streak for first round bye teams?
Short answer is yes. The Hoosiers came out and established authority in the trenches early on and controlled time of possession. Alabama only possessed the ball for four minutes and eight seconds, compared to Indiana’s 10:52 in the first quarter. Fernando Mendoza started 6 for 6 for 55 yards in that opening quarter, with 30 of those yards coming on a Charlie Becker reception deep down the sideline.
The Hoosiers worked their way to a field goal to open the second quarter, capping an 8:55 drive that went 84 yards on 16 plays.
Indiana’s run defense really stifled Alabama early. The Hoosiers came in third in the nation in run defense, allowing 77.62 yards a game. They are also second nationally in tackles for loss at 8.62 per game, so their ability to control the line of scrimmage is clear.
Alabama tried a fourth and one in their own territory early in the second quarter, and Indiana was not fooled. Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy shut it down, giving the Hoosiers a short field, and the offense capitalized.
Fernando Mendoza hit Charlie Becker for a 21 yard touchdown pass to put Indiana up 10-0. Mendoza was 7 of 8 for 76 yards and a touchdown at that point, and Becker had two receptions for 51 yards and that score.
Yhonzae Pierre was able to get to Mendoza a couple of times in the first half, recording 1.5 sacks, but Alabama could not do anything offensively with the stops they did get.
D’Angelo Ponds delivered a jarring hit that forced Ty Simpson to fumble on a scramble with 3:22 to go in the first half. That scramble was Alabama’s longest run of the game at nine yards to that point, but Simpson elected to take the hit and it cost him.
Mendoza and Indiana answered with a run heavy drive that featured eight runs on 11 plays and ended with a one yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. That gave the Hoosiers a 17-0 halftime lead. Mendoza finished the half 10 of 12 for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Indiana played a smart game and capitalized on defensive stops the way good teams do. They allowed just 93 total yards in the first half, including only 29 rushing yards.
After halftime, Ty Simpson played one more drive before exiting the game, still shaken up from the earlier hit. Austin Mack finished the game at quarterback.
The Hoosiers never let up. They kept the pressure on and only allowed a Crimson Tide field goal the rest of the way. Mendoza tossed one more touchdown in the second half to Elijah Sarratt and finished the day completing 88 percent of his passes with a passer rating of 250.2, going 14 of 16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Indiana steamrolled Alabama and dominated physically up front on both sides of the ball. Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby each added a rushing touchdown to inflate the lead to 38-3. Both backs were strong behind that offensive line in a balanced rushing attack.
Kaelon Black rushed 15 times for 99 yards and one touchdown, while Roman Hemby finished with 18 carries for 89 yards and one touchdown.
Seeing Alabama dominated in this fashion is something most people are not used to, but today confirmed that Indiana is exactly who they have shown themselves to be all season. Now they are set for a second meeting of the season with the Oregon Ducks in the Chick Fil A Peach Bowl.
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