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Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti expressed some frustration with college football officials Monday night.
Cignetti spoke to ESPN’s Holly Rowe and was frustrated with the lack of calls against the Miami Hurricanes for hits on Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman Trophy winner was left bloodied after one of the blows inflicted on him.
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Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti looks on during warmups before the College Football Playoff national championship game between Miami and Indiana, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
“There are three personal fouls on the quarterback that weren’t called in one practice,” Cignetti said. “They need to be warned because these are obvious personal fouls. I’m all for letting them play, but when you cross the line you have to call it. They were black and white calls.”
With the hits, Mendoza held on and put Indiana up 10 points at halftime.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks to pass against Miami during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
He was 12 of 17 with 116 passing yards.
Indiana’s scoring started in the first quarter with a field goal. Then, with about 6:13 left in the second quarter, Mendoza led the Hoosiers down the field and handed the ball to Riley Nowakowski to punch the ball away. The Hoosiers held a 10-0 lead at that point.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti speaks during a news conference before the College Football Playoff national championship game between Miami and Indiana, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Miami. The match will be played on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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The Hurricanes started to find a rhythm late in the first half. But Carter Davis’ field goal attempt missed the upright. The Hurricanes managed just three first downs despite having the ball for nearly 12 minutes at halftime.
