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For the first time in program history, the Indiana Hoosiers are national college football champions.
The Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 27-21, in an absolute thriller to finish their season undefeated under head coach Curt Cignetti.
The Hoosiers defense made things difficult for Carson Beck and company from the start of this game. In fact, the Hurricanes offense didn’t have a first down until their final drive of the first half.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes against Miami during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Meanwhile, Miami did a good job of containing the explosiveness of Indiana’s offense, limiting them to just one field goal in the first quarter.
Fernando Mendoza, this season’s Heisman Trophy winner, led a methodical 14-play drive that went 85 yards, where a third-and-goal from the one-yard line set up Riley Nowakowski for the game’s first touchdown.
Nowakowski only had one other rushing attempt all season, but the play was perfect for the Hoosiers as they took a 10-0 lead.
TRUMP ARRIVES AT INDIANA-MIAMI COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Miami was looking for at least a field goal before halftime, and they had the chance when they got to the Indiana 32-yard line on fourth-and-2. Carter Davis had a chance to attempt a 50-yard field goal, but he hit the upright and came up empty.
Despite the pseudo-home advantage – Miami plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium – they remained scoreless at halftime.
But the second half provided more fireworks from both teams, and that came from Mark Fletcher Jr.’s legs.
The Miami running back found a crease and he raced 57 yards to the house to liven up not only the Hurricanes sideline, but all their fans in the stands.
Mark Fletcher Jr. of the Miami Hurricanes runs for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The 10-7 ball game made things more interesting for Indiana, which hadn’t felt that kind of momentum in the game. But it wasn’t the offense that was doing the work, it was the special teams.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Hoosiers crossed the line of scrimmage on a Hurricanes punt attempt, and it was blocked just short of the goal line. Linebacker Isaiah Jones made sure to recover the loose ball, and his effort made the score 17-7 with 5:04 left in the third quarter.
But Miami had the right answer, because these back and forths on the scoreboard made the game much more suspenseful.
Fletcher found the end zone once again, capping a 10-play, 81-yard drive early in the fourth quarter.
A key moment in that game, however, came on the ensuing drive when head coach Curt Cignetti decided to go for it twice on fourth down, including fourth-and-5 from the Miami 12-yard line. The play call? Leave it in the hands of the Heisman winner.
Mendoza had a delayed draw and not only took it over the line to win, but he shrugged off several tackles and darted across the goal line for a hard-fought 12-yard touchdown for yet another 10-point lead, 24-14.
But yes, you guessed it: Miami responded. It was Malachi Toney’s drive, as the 18-year-old true freshman had a 41-yard catch and run and finished a quick drive for the Hurricanes with a 22-yard run into the end zone.
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)
The Hurricanes maintained their tight pursuit of the Hoosiers, but Mendoza and Indiana’s offense knew they had an opportunity to seal their national title with another methodical drive, picking up first downs or even scoring a game-tying touchdown.
Charlie Becker, who was Mendoza’s steady target all night, made a crucial catch on the third and seventh points to keep the offense alive. But the Hoosiers committed a crucial false start on second-and-one in the red zone, which set them back and ultimately led to a critical stop by the Hurricanes.
After the Hoosiers got their three points, Beck and Miami had the opportunity to go down the court and win the game. A roughing penalty on the passer helped Miami, which would have faced third-and-15 from its own 20-yard line had the flag not been thrown.
Beck moved the ball to midfield, but he made a brutal mistake, sending a pass that Jamari Sharpe read perfectly. Sharpe made the interception and, with 44 seconds left and no Miami timeouts, he won the national title.
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)
In box scoring, Mendoza was 16 of 27 for 186 yards and his rushing score, with Omar Cooper Jr. leading the Hoosiers with 71 yards on five catches. Becker had four catches for 65 yards, while Kaelon Black set the tone on the ground with 79 yards on 17 carries. Roman Hemby also had 19 carries for 60 yards.
For Miami, Beck was 19 of 32 for 232 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Toney finished the game with 10 catches for 122 yards and his core, while Fletcher rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries.
