Indiana delivered a commanding statement in Pasadena, dismantling Alabama 38-3 in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal that was never competitive. The Hoosiers’ dominant performance sent shockwaves through college football and punched their ticket to the semifinal.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza orchestrated a surgical offensive performance, completing 14-of-16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns while posting an elite 96.7 QBR. His efficiency was remarkable—never forcing mistakes and consistently finding open receivers against Alabama’s vaunted defense.
The Hoosiers’ ground game proved equally devastating. Kaelon Black rumbled for 99 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, including a crushing 25-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. Roman Hemby added 89 yards on 18 attempts, capping Indiana’s dominance with an 18-yard touchdown scamper. The Hoosiers amassed 215 rushing yards while controlling possession for over 34 minutes.
Indiana’s defense was suffocating. The unit held Alabama to just 193 total yards and forced a critical fumble. Devan Boykin terrorized the backfield with seven tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss. Aiden Fisher matched his intensity with seven stops and a sack of his own.
Alabama’s offense sputtered throughout, converting just 3-of-11 third downs. Quarterbacks Austin Mack and Ty Simpson combined for 170 passing yards but couldn’t find the end zone. Their lone points came on Conor Talty’s 28-yard field goal in the third quarter—far too little against Indiana’s relentless attack.
The Hoosiers’ balanced attack—407 total yards and 22 first downs—proved unstoppable as they dominated both lines of scrimmage in college football’s most storied setting.
