IU watch parties take over downtown Indianapolis INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Describing it as “amazing, “unbelievable,” or as a moment “we thought we’d never see” didn’t feel like hyperbole to the fans watching Indiana beat Alabama in the Rose Bowl inside Kilroy’s Bar N’ Grill.  Hundreds of fans filled the downtown watch party as IU secured a dominant 38-3 victory. A victory fans like Andrew Wallach have waited a lifetime to see.  “It’s a great day to be a Hoosier,” Wallach said.  Kilroy’s had a stadium-like atmosphere after every touchdown and turnover in the Hoosier’s favor, with a crowd featuring a large contingent of long-suffering IU football fans like Ellie Heckler.  “The season’s been crazy,” said Heckler, a IU Class of 2023 alum. “My grandparents have had season tickets forever. So, we’ve been going to these games for a really long time, and never thought that we’d see this.” Mike Shoppell and his wife traveled to the Kilroy’s watch party from Fort Wayne, Indiana, just to be around as many fans as possible. “It’s like you’re watching with your family,” Shoppell said. “You high five, everyone is here for the same reason, everyone loves IU. We knew it was going to be like this, and it has not disappointed. It’s been amazing.”  The Hoosiers’ success has swept up self-admitted bandwagon fans like Bailey Johnson, who likened the team’s undefeated season to the Indiana Pacers’ NBA Finals run in 2025. “This is incredible,” Johnson said. “I just love the atmosphere of sports, and that’s why I’m a sports fan in general.” The IU football program entered the 2025 season with the most losses in NCAA Division 1 FBS history. Fans are hoping to end the season by writing a new chapter in the history books, with Indiana’s first national championship in football. “You can’t be at home watching this,” IU fan and alum Derek Cavanaugh said. “You’ve got to be around the same people that have been through the same struggles, watching the same team year after year. It means more when you’re with those that care about it.” The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Oregon Ducks Jan. 9 in the Peach Bowl in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. IU fans celebrate historic Rose Bowl win over Alabama <p>Fernando Mendoza warms up for the Rose Bowl. (WISH Photo/Anthony Calhoun)</p> 1 / 13 1 / 13 ...read more read less