PASADENA, Calif. (WDRB) -- The first half was a clinic. The second half was a domination. No. 1-ranked Indiana didn't just beat Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, it disassembled it.
Final score: Indiana 38, Alabama 3.
Paging Paul Finebaum and anyone else who believes the contrary: The Hoosiers (14-0) didn't just end the Crimson Tide's season. They ended the myth they didn't belong in the same conversation.
It was Indiana's first bowl win since 1991. Their first Rose Bowl win, ever. Their first game against Alabama, ever. Firsts were falling like New Year's confetti. They now advance to face Oregon, a team they beat by 10 on the road during the regular season, in the Peach Bowl, for the right to play in the College Football Playoff national championship game.
Louisville | Kentucky | Indiana | Eric Crawford
Before the game, the Hoosiers came down the Rose Bowl tunnel and were stopped by security at the edge of the field. They had to wait to be introduced. IU coach Curt Cignetti was fidgety.
Here in horse racing country, we'd have said he was on his toes. We'd also have said that he was sitting on a big race.
He got into an animated discussion with a security guard. Was allowed to bring his team out of the tunnel to the edge of the field. He looked impatient. He rolled his eyes. He checked his watch.
Finally, the Hoosiers were allowed to break free onto the field.
Once there, they operated with the precision of a Rolex.
Between the lines, it was Cignetti's domain. It was a masterclass in play calling.
For the Hoosiers, it wasn't just a statement on the field but in the venerable Rose Bowl stands. Where Indiana fans poured in from every corner, more than attended many home games in the lean years for this once-struggling program.
That time is over. Alabama had more wins against AP No. 1 teams than any program in history. It had never lost to a reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Welcoming Geno Toretta and Kyler Murray back to football after their Heisman moments.
Indiana has proven this all season. It doesn't care about "never." It only cares about now.
Indiana outgained Alabama 179-93 in the first half. It rolled up 11 first downs. It held the Crimson Tide's powerful passing game to just 65 yards.
After driving 84 yards on 16 plays in a drive that took 8:55, the Hoosiers had to settle for a field goal the first play of the second quarter to open the scoring.
Then they got the ball back on a pivotal early fourth down stop, taking over at the Alabama 34. They scored four plays later on a 21-yard strike over the middle from Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza to a leaping Charlie Becker at the goal line. Indiana was up 10-0, and the game was starting to feel like the Hoosiers' domination of Illinois, or it double-digit win over Oregon.
Only worse.
A quick 11-play drive at the end of the first half, covering 58 yards and taking just 2:52, ended with a one-yard TD strike to Omar Cooper Jr., crossing over the middle of the end zone wide open with 17 seconds until halftime, and Indiana was in command.
Early in the fourth quarter, Indiana had more rushing yards (179) than Alabama had total yards (161).
Mendoza was flawless. He completed 14 of his first 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Against blitzes, he was 6-6 for 92 yards and three touchdowns.
And the celebration was on.
The Rose Bowl, notably, turned 100 this year. Indiana made sure it felt like a funeral for dynasties past.
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