In the weeks leading up to the Rose Bowl, Fernando Mendoza had spoken about the great opportunity to perform at the legendary Pasadena stadium and do a good job inspiring young Hispanics. The Cuban-American quarterback lived up to expectations with a near-perfect performance, throwing more touchdown passes than incomplete ones. Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy a few weeks ago to become the third Hispanic to do so, threw three touchdown passes as the Indiana Hoosiers continued their perfect season by demolishing Alabama 38-3 in the 112th Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. “It means a lot,” Mendoza said when La Opinion asked him about his performance in the most traditional of college bowl games. He said it in English, explaining that his Spanish isn't good enough.

“Actually, I have a lot of Mexican family here, and my whole family from Miami came to watch. It's a great, historic venue, the Rose Bowl. It's an iconic site not just in college sports, but in all sports. So I think it's a great opportunity for all of us to be Rose Bowl champions.”

Indiana coach praises Mendoza: “The best team player”

The 22-year-old, whose four grandparents emigrated from Cuba, completed 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and 3 touchdowns. He didn't have to exert himself because his team completely dominated, especially in the trenches, accumulating 215 rushing yards. Fernando was even relieved by his brother, Alberto Mendoza, in the final minutes.

“Fernando is a very special guy. He's one of a kind,” said coach Curt Cignetti about his star quarterback. “He’s not selfish, he’s the best team player.”

The Hoosiers (14-0) will face the University of Oregon Ducks on Friday, January 9, in Atlanta for a spot in the national championship game. The other semifinal will be between Miami and the winner of Georgia vs. Mississippi.

Up 17-0,The Hoosiers displayed their overwhelming superiority on the first offensive series of the second half. Mendoza, who had been using his legs effectively, connected with wide receiver Elijah Sarrat in the corner for a 24-yard touchdown. The score went to 24-0, setting the stage for what many consider the most important victory in Indiana's history, witnessed by 90,278 spectators at the Rose Bowl. Alabama (11-4), whose last national title was in 2020 under head coach Nick Saban, managed to score their first—and only—points with 2:44 remaining in the third quarter via a field goal. But the Hoosiers immediately responded, sealing the game with a 25-yard touchdown run by Kaelon Black, making the score 31-3 in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. Another running back, Roman Hemby, added an 18-yard touchdown run to make it 38-3.

The rain stopped in time for the Indiana show

On a wet but well-maintained field, thanks to the rain in the region ceasing about two hours before kickoff, the defenses dominated the first quarter.

But early in the second quarter, Indiana took the lead with a 31-yard field goal by Nico Radicic to cap a 16-play, 84-yard, 8:55-minute drive.

On the Hoosiers' next possession, Mendoza found Charlie Becker with a 21-yard touchdown pass up the middle, extending the lead to 10-0.

Alabama's only possession of the first half ended with a fumble by quarterback Ty Simpson, recovered by Isaiah Jones at the 0-yard line.

Indiana's 46.

Taking advantage of good field position, the nation's No. 1 team mounted a drive in the final three minutes, and Mendoza capped it off with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr., who broke free from a defender as he crossed the end zone from one side to the other.

The 17-0 score might have sounded surprising, but it reflected Indiana's dominance, which continued into the second half. Indiana's defense held Alabama, who had just eliminated Oklahoma 34-24, to just 193 total yards.