PASADENA, Calif. – The No. 9/11/11 Alabama football team saw its season come to a close on Thursday, as the Crimson Tide (11-4) fell 38-3 to No. 1/1/1 Indiana (14-0) in the Quarterfinal Round of the College Football Playoff in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium.
Ty Simpson finished the afternoon completing 12-of-16 passes (75.0 percent) for 67 yards, adding three carries for 17 yards. After exiting the game due to injury, Simpson was replaced by Austin Mack in the third quarter, as the California native produced 103 passing yards on 11-of-16 attempts (68.8 percent).
Germie Bernard led the Alabama receiving corps with 60 yards on four receptions, while Ryan Williams tallied a team-best six receptions for 53 yards.
Defensively, Bray Hubbard totaled eight tackles to pace all Crimson Tide defenders, highlighted by one sack (-11 yards) and one tackle for loss. Yhonzae Pierre collected 1.5 sacks (-10 yards) and a tackle for loss as part of his four total stops, with Dijon Lee Jr. and DaShawn Jones managing one pass breakup apiece.
Game Notes
- Thursday’s matchup with Indiana marked the 100-year anniversary of Alabama’s first-ever appearance in the Rose Bowl Game when the Crimson Tide defeated Washington 20-19 on Jan. 1, 1926 to claim the program’s first national championship
- Deontae Lawson finished the afternoon with four total tackles, giving him 283 career tackles to pass Saleem Rasheed for 10th-all time in program history
- Bray Hubbard accounted for seven solo stops among his eight total tackles, creating a new season-best
How It Happened
Second Quarter
- 14:57 – IU | The Hoosiers opened the scoring following a 16-play, 84-yard drive that closed with a 31-yard field goal. (3-0, Indiana)
- 10:49 – IU | Following an Alabama turnover on downs on its own 34-yard line, the Hoosiers found the end zone in four plays, with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza producing a 21-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker. (10-0, Indiana)
- 0:17 – IU | Mendoza was responsible for his second touchdown pass of the afternoon, spotting an open Omar Cooper Jr. for a one-yard score to end an 11-play, 58-yard drive. (17-0, Indiana)
Third Quarter
- 7:46 – IU | Mendoza notched his third passing score of the day, connecting with Elijah Sarratt for a 24-yard touchdown to extend the lead. The scoring drive amassed 79 yards across 10 plays. (24-0, Indiana)
- 2:44 – UA | The Tide produced its first points of the afternoon, with Conor Talty succeeding on a 28-yard field goal try. In relief of Ty Simpson, quarterback Austin Mack led the nine-play, 65-yard possession. (24-3, Indiana)
Fourth Quarter
- 14:21 – IU | Running back Kaelon Black crossed the goal line for a 25-yard rushing touchdown, putting an end to a six-play, 75-yard drive. (31-3, Indiana)
- 10:39 – IU | The Hoosiers’ final score came via an 18-yard touchdown run by Roman Hemby to cap a five-play, 63-yard drive. (38-3, Indiana)
