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An Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman was accused of making a comment about the late father of Miami Hurricanes star Mark Fletcher Jr. after the national championship game Monday night, nearly sparking a fight between the two players at Hard Rock Stadium.
Fletcher was caught on the ESPN broadcast taking a hit on Hoosiers defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker. Players and staff from both schools had to get between the competitors before the problem got even worse.
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Mark Fletcher Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes stiff-arms Aiden Fisher #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter of the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Mike Rumph, Miami’s director of recruiting, alleged in a comment on Instagram that Tucker made the comment.
“Dude was talking about Mark’s dad who passed away last year. Mark is and always will be one of the classiest people you will ever meet. RIP Mr. Fletcher,” Rumph wrote.
Tucker had a different opinion and said Fletcher was trying to punch him.
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Tyrique Tucker #95 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“I was just trying to congratulate him on the game,” he told the Herald-Times. “He tried to sneak me around, everyone stopped me. It was a cheap shot. Luckily, we got the win, I’m not too worried about that. He’s salty, he’s going home with the L.”
Tucker apparently wanted to congratulate Fletcher on his two-touchdown performance before things went wrong, according to The Herald-Times. He said he didn’t tell him anything.
Fletcher has not said anything about the incident.
Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) rushes to score against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Image Images)
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The star running back nearly led the Hurricanes to a national championship. But some mistakes ultimately sank them into a 27-21 loss.
