For the eighth time this season, Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers built a big enough lead to bring in Alberto Mendoza and the rest of the second-team players for some second-half reps.
This time, it was against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl, helping Indiana advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
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Alabama won the toss, giving Indiana the first possession of the game. Starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza was sacked twice on that drive, and the Hoosiers lost five yards over the course of two minutes and quickly punted the ball.
From there, it was smooth sailing for Indiana on both sides of the ball. The defense allowed a pair of first downs on the Crimson Tide’s first drive, but ultimately forced the punt that set up Indiana’s first scoring drive.
The only setbacks of the game came in that series, with an apparent technical failure preventing Fernando from receiving play calls on the field. What looked like a dominant drive failed and Indiana was forced to settle for a field goal.
The Hoosiers would score two touchdowns in the first half on a pair of well designed and executed passing plays. Charlie Becker was on the receiving end of the first, catching a 21-yard pass from Fernando that gave Indiana a 10-0 lead.
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Then, a freshly recovered Omar Cooper Jr. found the end zone just before the end of the second quarter to give Indiana a 17-0 lead before halftime.
The Tide had rallied from a 17-point deficit the previous week against Oklahoma, but the way Indiana’s defense played in the first half made that lead seem insurmountable. Bryant Haines’ group made a big stop on fourth down to set up Indiana’s first touchdown, then D’Angelo Ponds forced a Ty Simpson fumble to set up the second score.
Whether due to injury or looking for the spark his offense was missing all day, Kalen DeBoer pulled Simpson in the second half. His backup, Austin Mack, gave the team some juice, but Indiana’s defense once again stymied and forced a field goal on Bama’s most promising drive of the game.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s offense didn’t slow down in the second half. Mendoza found Elijah Sarratt for a long touchdown, then the backfield broke free with Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby scoring in the fourth quarter to give the Hoosiers a 38-3 lead.
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From there, both coaches knew it was over. Indiana’s reserves came on and Bama’s starters watched the Hoosiers run out the clock. Cignetti is now 1-1 in CFP games and his Hoosiers will have a rematch with the Oregon Ducks in the national semifinals.
The dream season continues.