Overview
- No. 1 Indiana overwhelmed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, with Fernando Mendoza going 14-for-16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
- ESPN Insights reported Mendoza went 8-for-8 with three TDs against Alabama blitzes, the first QB to throw three TDs versus a Tide blitz in a game since Johnny Manziel in 2013.
- Center Pat Coogan was named offensive MVP, and Mendoza's exuberant celebration underscored the Hoosiers' team-first ethos.
- Mendoza's postgame interview praising teammates and coach Curt Cignetti went viral as he learned on air that Indiana will face Oregon in the Peach Bowl on January 9.
- Mendoza remains widely projected as the 2026 NFL Draft’s No. 1 pick with the Raiders frequently mentioned, though some analysts point to Oregon’s Dante Moore as a possible challenger.