Alabama understands that stopping Indiana’s highly effective offense within the Rose Bowl on New 12 months’s Day begins with containing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
“[Mendoza] is working at a very excessive degree,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack mentioned. “Once you watch the tape and the problem, actually the cry for our guys [is] to must function at a very constant degree, and also you’re going to have to remove these home windows that he’s desirous to get the ball by means of.”
Throughout top-seeded Indiana’s undefeated season, Mendoza threw for two,980 yards and 33 touchdowns for a workforce that ranked eighth in complete offense (472.8 yards per sport). Regardless of his spectacular numbers, ninth-seeded Alabama isn’t displaying indicators of being intimidated by Mendoza heading into the Faculty Soccer Playoff quarterfinal showdown.
“He’s a person, identical to me,” Alabama defensive lineman Tim Keenan III mentioned. “He put himself able to attain the accolades, so we’d like to ensure we do what we have to, to play our sport.”
Added Alabama security Keon Sabb: “Congrats to him for profitable [the Heisman], however we’ll play our sport.”
Alabama is planning to place strain on Mendoza in an effort to drive potential turnovers and restrict Indiana’s assault, cornerback Zabien Brown mentioned.
“I wish to cease quarterbacks whether or not they’ve received the Heisman Trophy or not,” Wommack added.
