Overview
- Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza was ultra-efficient for No. 1 Indiana, completing 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns as backs Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby combined for 188 rushing yards and two scores.
- Alabama managed just 193 total yards, including 23 on the ground, and settled for a lone third-quarter field goal against a swarming Hoosiers defense.
- Starting quarterback Ty Simpson left with a cracked rib after a second-quarter fumble, and backup Austin Mack finished the game without a touchdown drive.
- DeBoer acknowledged his early fourth-and-1 call from the Alabama 34 that failed, calling it the wrong decision after it set up an Indiana touchdown.
- National commentators labeled the showing “humiliating” as Alabama closed 11-4; Indiana moved on to face Oregon in the Peach Bowl, and Alabama turns to portal and NFL decisions as the offseason begins.