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For the first time in program history, the Indiana Hoosiers are college football national champions.
The Hoosiers defeated 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 difficult for Carson Beck and company from the beginning 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, limiting it to just one field goal in the first quarter.
Fernando Mendoza, this season’s Heisman Trophy winner, led a methodical 14-play drive that traveled 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 only had one other rush attempt all season, but the play was perfect for the Hoosiers, who took a 10-0 lead.
TRUMP ARRIVES AT THE INDIANA-MIAMI COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Miami was looking to at least score a field goal before the half, and they had the opportunity when they found themselves at the Indiana 32-yard line on fourth-and-2. Carter Davis had a chance to attempt a 50-yard field goal, but it hit the post and didn’t go well.
Despite the pseudo home field advantage (Miami plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium), they were held scoreless at halftime.
But the second half provided more fireworks from both teams, and they came from the legs of Mark Fletcher Jr.
The Miami running back found a gap and took it 57 yards to the house to cheer up not only the Hurricanes bench, but all their fans in the stands.
The 10-7 game made things more interesting for Indiana, which hadn’t felt this kind of momentum in the game. But it wasn’t the offense that did the job: it was the special teams.
After forcing a three-pointer, the Hoosiers crossed the line of scrimmage on a Hurricanes punt attempt and was blocked just near the goal line. Linebacker Isaiah Jones made sure to corral the loose ball and his efforts made the score 17-7 with 5:04 left in the third quarter.
But Miami had the right response, since this swing in 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.
However, a key moment in this game came on the next series 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? Leave it to the Heisman winner.
Mendoza had a late equalizer and not only crossed the line to win, he fought off multiple tackles and darted 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 Malachi Toney’s breakthrough, as the 18-year-old true freshman had a 41-yard catch-and-run and completed a quick drive for the Hurricanes with a 22-yard run to the end zone.
The Hurricanes maintained their close pursuit of the Hoosiers, but Mendoza and Indiana’s offense knew they had a chance to seal their national title with another methodical drive, picking up first downs or even scoring a touchdown for the knockout blow.
Charlie Becker, who was Mendoza’s reliable target all night, had a crucial shoulder catch on third-and-seven to keep the drive alive. But the Hoosiers committed a crucial false start on second-and-1 in the red zone, which set them back and ultimately led to a critical Hurricanes stop.
After the Hoosiers secured their three points, Beck and Miami had a chance to go downfield and win the game. A rough passer penalty helped Miami, which would have faced third-and-15 from its own 20 if the flag had not been thrown.
Beck moved the ball through midfield, but made a brutal mistake by missing a pass that Jamari Sharpe read perfectly. Sharpe got the interception and, with 44 seconds left and no Miami timeouts, won 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 score on the ground, with Omar Cooper Jr. leading the Hoosiers with 71 yards on five receptions. Becker had four grabs for 65 yards, while Kaelon Black paced the field 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 one touchdown and one interception. Toney finished the game with 10 receptions for 122 yards and his core, while Fletcher rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries.
