College Football World Loved Indiana’s Surprise Winner of Rose Bowl MVP

Nope, it wasn’t Fernando Mendoza.

Indiana defeated Alabama 38–3 on Thursday to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Everything is coming up Indiana these days.

Once the laughingstock of college football normally dwelling in the Big Ten’s basement, Indiana has risen to national powerhouse in just two years. Led by coach Curt Cignetti, the No. 1 Hoosiers easily handled No. 9 Alabama 38–3 on Thursday night in the Rose Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

To make a great story even better, the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP award was given to a very deserving Hoosiers player—but not the one you’d think. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the blowout win, but the award instead went to Hoosiers redshirt senior center Pat Coogan and the rest of the offensive line.

Mendoza and the rest of the Hoosiers on the stage at Rose Bowl Stadium erupted in celebration after ESPN’s Rece Davis announced Coogan as the winner.

The Rose Bowl offensive MVP award went to Indiana's O-Line 🔥

Look how excited the team was 🥹🙏 pic.twitter.com/yX5vVY74dF

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 2, 2026

“It’s unreal. ... I’m sure Fernando snuck in there and told him to give it to me because he’s that type of guy,” Coogan told Sirius XM after the game.

The rest of the college football and sports world loved the move:

I am weeping. Seeing an offensive lineman win MVP of the ⁦@rosebowlgame⁩ is literally a highlight of my life!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ⁦@IndianaFootball⁩ Pat Coogan is the BEST pic.twitter.com/8Gm0kMylMO

— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) January 2, 2026

Pat Coogan winning the Rose Bowl offensive MVP might be the best thing ever.

And that was absolutely four quarters of F-you football.

— Andy Staples (@AndyStaples) January 2, 2026

Pat Coogan getting Rose Bowl MVP is so sick

What a moment

— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) January 2, 2026

Look at how EXCITED the rest of the Hoosiers were for Pat Coogan winning Rose Bowl offensive MVP. https://t.co/wp5kRzduuo pic.twitter.com/No8vVYh2ts

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) January 2, 2026

This might’ve convinced me they’re winning it all.

What a moment. pic.twitter.com/sW0UOt6Ziz

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 2, 2026

Indiana football offensive lineman Pat Coogan genuinely shocked at being named game’s offensive MVP pic.twitter.com/WGukNikOYy

— Michael Niziolek (@michaelniziolek) January 2, 2026

What a moment.

After the win, Indiana now advances to the Peach Bowl to battle No. 5 Oregon in the CFP semifinals.

One more win, and the Hoosiers are playing for a national championship. Somehow, that’s a more improbable statement than an offensive lineman winning MVP in a bowl game.

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