At a Glance
- Indiana wins 38-3 in the 112th Rose Bowl over Alabama.
- Coach Curt Cignetti smiles before heading to the Peach Bowl vs Oregon.
- Hoosiers finish 14-0, setting up a CFP semifinal matchup.
Why it matters: Indiana’s perfect season and Rose Bowl triumph put the program on the national map, while the upcoming game could crown the first national champion from the Big Ten.
In the final minutes of the Rose Bowl, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti let his rare grin show as his team crushed Alabama 38-3, a moment that will be replayed for years. Yet his thoughts were already on the Peach Bowl, where the undefeated Hoosiers will face Oregon, a team that beat Texas Tech 23-0. The clash could decide the college football champion.
Rose Bowl Celebration
The game ended 38-3, Indiana’s biggest margin in school history. Cignetti’s smile was captured on camera, a rarity for the usually stern coach. Receiver Elijah Sarratt laughed, saying the grin was “the biggest smile he’d ever seen from his coach.” Then Cignetti returned to his “business face” as he prepared for the next test.
Coach Curt Cignetti stated:
> “We’ll have a very big challenge ahead of us next week. It’s very hard to beat a really good football team twice. There’s no doubt about that.”
Facing Oregon
Oregon, 13-1, had beaten Indiana 30-20 in Eugene. The Ducks’ eight-game win streak and 23-0 Orange Bowl victory over Texas Tech set them as the biggest threat. Indiana’s defense, ranked second nationally in yards and points allowed, will be tested.
| Game | Indiana | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Bowl | 38-3 | Alabama |
| vs. Oregon | 30-20 | Oregon |
| Orange Bowl | 23-0 | Texas Tech |
Coaches’ Perspectives
Dan Lanning said:
> “That team in that locker room has shown time and time again that they’re ready for big moments.”
Pat Kuntz added:
> “We like being the underdogs. We like when people think we’re just ‘old Indiana.’ That’s all we need. We like that mentality. I hate it when we’re favored. I want us to be underdogs all the time. That’s our mentality. Never satisfied, always humble and hungry.”
Dante Moore remarked:
> “You never want to look too far ahead. You want to be where your feet are at, being in the present moment. We’ve got to worry about the next day.”
Key Takeaways
- Indiana’s 38-3 Rose Bowl win cements a perfect season.
- The Peach Bowl vs. Oregon could decide the national title.
- Hoosiers’ defense remains a national threat; Oregon’s offense had limited rushing success.
The final game will test whether Indiana’s historic rise can sustain a national championship run.
