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For the first time in program history, the Indiana Hoosiers are college football national champions.
The Hoosiers took down the Miami Hurricanes, 27-21, in an absolute thriller to complete their undefeated season under head coach Curt Cignetti.
The Hoosiers’ defense was making things hard for Carson Beck and company from the very 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 was doing well to contain the explosiveness of Indiana’s offense, holding them to just a field goal in the first quarter.
Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner this season, led a methodical, 14-play drive that went 85 yards where a third-and-goal play from the one-yard line resulted in Riley Nowakowski scoring the first touchdown of the game.
Nowakowski had only one other rush attempt all season, but the play call was perfect for the Hoosiers as they took a 10-0 lead.
TRUMP ARRIVES AT INDIANA-MIAMI COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Miami was on the hunt to at least put a field goal up before half, and they had the opportunity when they found themselves on the Indiana 32-yard line on fourth-and-2. Carter Davis had a chance at a 50-yard field goal attempt, but it hit the upright and ended up no good.
Despite the pseudo-home-field advantage — Miami plays their home games at Hard Rock Stadium — they were left scoreless at halftime.
But the second half provided more fireworks from both teams, and it came from the legs of Mark Fletcher Jr.
The Miami running back found a crease, and he took it 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 third quarter touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The 10-7 ball game made things more interesting for Indiana, who hadn’t felt this sort of momentum in the game. But it wasn’t the offense getting the job done — it was special teams.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Hoosiers got through the line of scrimmage on a punt attempt from the Hurricanes, and it was blocked right near the goal line. Linebacker Isaiah Jones made sure to corral the loose ball, and his efforts made it 17-7 with 5: 04 left in the third quarter.
But Miami had the right response, as this back-and-forth on the scoreboard made the game much more suspenseful.
Fletcher found the end zone once more, capping off a 10-play, 81-yard drive at the very start of the fourth quarter.
A key moment in this game, though, came on the ensuing drive as head coach Curt Cignetti decided to go for it twice on fourth down, including fourth-and-5 from Miami’s 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 across the line to gain, but he fought off multiple tackles and launched himself across the goal line for a hard-fought, 12-yard touchdown run for yet another 10-point lead, 24-14.
But, yes, you guessed it: Miami ans