BLOOMINGTON – In a scene that would have been unthinkable just two years ago, the Indiana University Hoosiers stood atop the college football world on New Year’s Day, hoisting the trophy after a dominant 38-3 victory over No. 9 Alabama in the 112th Rose Bowl Game.
Photo provided by IU.
The win marks Indiana’s first-ever Rose Bowl title and officially cements their status as the No. 1 team in the nation, a ranking they reached for the first time in program history earlier this December.
Cignetti Named National Coach of the Year
The accolades continued to pour in today, Jan. 8, as head coach Curt Cignetti was officially named the winner of the 2025 Bobby Dodd Trophy. The prestigious award honors the coach who best exemplifies leadership, scholarship, and integrity both on and off the field.
In just his second season in Bloomington, Cignetti has orchestrated a 25-2 turnaround that has transformed the “losingest program in FBS history” into a juggernaut.
“Being named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year is a fantastic recognition for our program, but it is only possible because of the hard work of our student-athletes and staff,” Cignetti said in a statement from Atlanta.
Leading the charge in Pasadena was redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who took the field for the first time since being named Indiana’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner. Mendoza showed exactly why he is projected as a top NFL draft pick, throwing three touchdown passes to Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper Jr., and Elijah Sarratt.
Fernando Mendoza. Photo provided by IU
The Hoosier defense was equally spectacular, holding the Crimson Tide to just 193 total yards. It was the worst loss suffered by Alabama in the 21st century, sparking “Hoosier Daddy?” chants from the massive sea of Cream and Crimson that filled the Rose Bowl stadium.
The Rose Bowl triumph follows a historic post-season run that began on Dec. 6, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium. In the Big Ten Championship, Indiana defeated then-No. 1 Ohio State in a gritty 13-10 victory, securing the program’s first conference title since 1967 and their first outright crown since 1945.
Next Stop: The Peach Bowl
The undefeated Hoosiers (14-0) now travel to Atlanta for a College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The Opponent: No. 5 Oregon Ducks (13-1)
When: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TV: ESPN
The game is a highly anticipated rematch of an Oct. 11 regular-season clash in which Indiana upset the Ducks 30-20 in Eugene. The winner of tomorrow’s semifinal will advance to the National Championship Game in Miami on Jan. 19.
