Alabama realizes it can stop Indiana's powerful offense in the Rose Bowl The New Year begins with a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Fernando Mendoza.
“[Mendoza] operates at a really high level,” Alabama defensive coordinator. Kane Wommack said. “When you watch the recording and the challenge, it’s really a shout out to our guys [is] he’s going to have to operate at a really consistent level and you’re going to have to take away those windows that he wants to get the ball through.”
During Indiana's top-ranked team's undefeated season, Mendoza threw for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns for a team that ranked eighth in total offense (472.8 yards per game). Despite its impressive record, ninth-ranked Alabama shows no signs of fear heading into Mendoza's tournament run. College football playoffs quarterfinal bout.
“He's a man just like me,” Alabama defensive lineman Tim Keenan III said. “He’s put himself in a position to get credit, so we need to make sure we do what we need to do to play our game.”
Added Alabama guard Keon Subb: “Congratulations to him on the win. [the Heisman]but we will play our game.”
Alabama plans to put pressure on Mendoza to force potential turnovers and limit Indiana's offense, cornerback Zabien Brown said.
“I want to stop quarterbacks, whether they win the Heisman Trophy or not,” Wommack added.
