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Fernando Mendoza stood out in front of friends and family in the biggest moment of his college career as he helped the Indiana Hoosiers win a national championship.
Mendoza took the snap on 4th and 5 and ran it up the gut. He bounced off a few Miami Hurricanes defenders, jumped from the 2-yard line and extended his hands to place the ball over the goal line while being beaten as he fell into the end zone.
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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers dives for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Indiana went up 24-14 with 6:32 left and the Hoosiers won the game 27-21.
“That’s one thing about our team,” Mendoza told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. “We’re still going to put it all on the line. I want to give all the glory and thank God. My offensive linemen blocked perfectly and we were able to execute as a team toward a common goal. Having the Indiana Hoosier synergy to score and give our team a chance to win the game.
INDIANA’S CURT CIGNETTI COMPLAINTS ABOUT LACK OF CALLS AGAINST MIAMI DURING HALF TIME OF NATIONAL TITLE GAME
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)
“I had to take off. I’ll die for my team. Whatever they need me to do. They need me to shoot up front or behind, no matter what, I’m going to die for my team and I know they’ll do the same for me. That’s what makes us so close. That’s what makes the national championship so special.”
Mendoza, who was bloodied in the first quarter after a huge hit to the face, was 16 of 27 with 186 passing yards and rushing score.
“He’s so tough,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti told ESPN’s Molly McGrath. “He got hit. He didn’t have time. He keeps getting back up. He’s just a great competitor and you can’t do that without that kind of performance at that position. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Indiana is the first team in college football history to finish 16-0 since Yale in 1894.
