- - Alabama QB Ty Simpson removed from Rose Bowl vs. Indiana midway through third quarter

Nick Bromberg January 1, 2026 at 6:20 PM

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Ty Simpson fumbled late in the second quarter on this hit. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) (Sean M. Haffey via Getty Images)

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was taken out of the Rose Bowl midway through the third quarter in favor of backup quarterback Austin Mack.

Simpson took a big hit when he fumbled late in the second quarter to set up an Indiana TD and a 17-0 lead. ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden said that it was a “coaches’ decision” as the broadcast showed clips of Simpson grimacing as he warmed up in the second half.

Simpson was 12-of-16 passing for 67 yards and was the team’s leading rusher with three carries for 17 yards when he was replaced.

Mack entered the game with the No. 9 Tide trailing 24-0 after Indiana scored a TD on its first possession of the third quarter. Alabama opened the second half with the ball but failed to get a first down before punting to the No. 1 Hoosiers.

Simpson was a Heisman favorite midway through the season as Alabama quickly rebounded from its Week 1 loss to Florida State. But he faded from the trophy discussion down the stretch even as Alabama got into the College Football Playoff despite an SEC title game loss to Georgia.

The redshirt junior won a three-way quarterback competition in fall camp ahead of Mack and five-star freshman Keelon Russell. Mack, a redshirt sophomore, spent his first season of college football at Washington under current Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer and transferred to Tuscaloosa after DeBoer was hired to succeed Nick Saban.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”