Overview
- Top-seeded Indiana routed No. 9 Alabama to reach the Peach Bowl semifinal against No. 5 Oregon on Jan. 9.
- Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza went 14-of-16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns as the Hoosiers outgained the Tide 407-193.
- Alabama mustered only 23 rushing yards while Indiana ran for 215, underscoring a season-long ground-game problem.
- Kalen DeBoer acknowledged the failed fourth-and-1 call at Alabama’s 34 as a mistake, a sequence that preceded Indiana’s first touchdown.
- Starter Ty Simpson left after a hit and later said he cracked a rib before being replaced by Austin Mack; the 35-point margin is Alabama’s largest postseason loss and worst since 1998, with roster movement expected as the portal window opens Friday.