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Fernando Mendoza made his decision in front of his friends and family at the most important moment of his college career when he helped the Indiana Hoosiers win a national championship.
Mendoza took the snap on 4th and 5 and ran it to the gut. He bounced off some Miami Hurricanes defenders, jumped from the 2-yard line and reached out to put the ball over the goal line as he was hit as he fell toward the end zone.
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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers goes for 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. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Indiana went up 24-14 with 6:32 left in the game and the Hoosiers won the game, 27-21.
“That’s one thing about our team,” Mendoza told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. “We are always going to put everything on the line. I want to give him all the glory and thank God. My offensive linemen blocked perfectly and we were able to execute as a team towards a common goal. Having the Indiana Hoosier synergy to score and give our team a chance to win the game.
INDIANA’S CURT CIGNETTI COMPLAINS ABOUT LACK OF CALLS AGAINST MIAMI DURING HALFTIME OF NATIONAL TITLE GAME
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)
“I had to fly. I would die for my team. Whatever they need me to do. They need me to shoot in front or behind, whatever it is, I’m going to die for my team and I know they’re going to do the same for me. That’s what makes us so close. That’s what makes the national championship so special.”
Mendoza, who was left bloodied in the first quarter after a big hit to the face, was 16 of 27 with 186 passing yards and a rushing score.
“It’s very tough,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti told ESPN’s Molly McGrath. “He got hit. He didn’t have time. He keeps getting up. He’s just a great competitor and there’s no way this is going to happen without that type of performance at that position. I can’t say enough about him.”
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)
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Indiana is the first team in college football history to finish 16-0 since Yale did so in 1894.
