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For the first time in program history, the Indiana Hoosiers are college football national champions.
The Hoosiers beat the Miami Hurricanes, 27-21, in an absolute thriller to complete their undefeated season under head coach Curt Cignetti.
The Hoosiers’ defense made it difficult for Carson Beck and company right 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 well to limit the explosiveness of Indiana’s offense, holding them to just one 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 game’s first touchdown.
Nowakowski had just one other rushing attempt all season, but the play call was perfect for the Hoosiers as they took a 10-0 lead.
TRUMP ARRIVES AT THE INDIANA-MIAMI COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Miami was looking to at least set up a field goal before halftime, and they had the opportunity when they found themselves at 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 didn’t end well.
Despite the pseudo-homefield advantage — Miami plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium — they were scoreless at halftime.
But the second half brought more fireworks from both teams and it came from the legs of Mark Fletcher Jr.
The Miami running back found a curl and he took it 57 yards to the house to enliven not only the Hurricanes’ sideline, but all of their fans in the stands.
The 10-7 ball game made things more interesting for Indiana, who hadn’t felt this kind of momentum in the game. But it wasn’t the offense that got the job done — it was special teams.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Hoosiers came through the line on a punt attempt by the Hurricanes, and it was blocked just short of the goal line. Linebacker Isaiah Jones made sure to contain the loose ball and his effort made it 17-7 with 5:04 left in the third quarter.
But Miami had the right answer as this back and forth on the scoreboard made the game much more exciting.
Fletcher once again found the end zone and completed a 10-play, 81-yard drive at the very start of the fourth quarter.
However, a key moment in this game came on the ensuing drive when 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 late draw and not only took it over the line for the win, but he fought off several tackles and dashed across the goal line for a hard-fought 12-yard touchdown run for another 10-point lead, 24-14.
But yes, you guessed it: Miami responded. This was the Malachi Toney drive, as the 18-year-old true freshman had a 41-yard catch-and-run, capping a quick drive for the Hurricanes with a 22-yard run into the end zone.
The Hurricanes maintained their close pursuit of the Hoosiers, but Mendoza and Indiana’s offense knew they had the opportunity to seal their national title with another methodical drive, pick up first downs or even score a touchdown for the knockout punch.
Charlie Becker, who was Mendoza’s go-to target all night long, had a crucial back-to-the-shoulder catch on third-and-7 to keep the drive alive. But the Hoosiers committed a crucial false start on second-and-1 in the red zone that moved them back and ultimately led to a critical Hurricanes stop.
After the Hoosiers secured their three points, Beck and Miami had the opportunity to go down the court and win the game. A roughing the passer penalty helped Miami, who would have faced third-and-15 from their own 20-yard line had the flag not been thrown.
Beck moved the ball across midfield, but he made a brutal blunder and threw a pass that Jamari Sharpe read perfectly. Sharpe secured the interception, and with 44 seconds left and no Miami timeouts, he clinched the national title.
Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
In the box score, Mendoza was 16-of-27 for 186 yards and his rushing score, with Omar Cooper Jr. led 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.
