The most improbable run in college football is complete as Indiana secured its first national championship Monday night. Curt Cignetti, Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers knocked off Miami, 27-21, to close out one of the most unthinkable turnarounds in sports.
Led by their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, the Hoosiers finished their undefeated season with a wire-to-wire victory.
The Hurricanes (13-3) cut a 10-point Indiana lead to just 3 with 14:57 to play following a rushing touchdown by Mark Fletcher Jr. Mendoza then took over and had the defining moment of the night to cap a 75-yard drive.
The redshirt junior took off on a fourth-and-5 play from the 12-yard line and avoided several tackles before going airborne for a rushing touchdown. The score put the Hoosiers up 24-14 with 9:18 left in the fourth quarter. The capper to the 75-yard drive will go down as Mendoza’s signature moment in a historic season.
A 22-yard touchdown from Carson Beck to star freshman receiver Malachi Toney with 6:32 left helped Miami trim the lead back down to 3 points, 24-21. The 91-yard drive gave the Hurricanes life in their home venue, Hard Rock Stadium.
Indiana answered with a 35-yard field goal from Nico Radicic on the ensuing drive to push its lead to 27-21. The drive left the Beck and Hurricanes with 1:42 to earn a win with a touchdown. The senior guided Miami across midfield before he was intercepted by Jamari Sharpe on a throw from the 41-yard line.
The turnover sealed Indiana’s win and it’s first title in program history.
Complete Team Win For Indiana
In true Indiana fashion, the Hoosiers needed every part of their team to pull out the victory. Earlier in the night they took 17-7 lead thanks to a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown. Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara blocked the punt leading to a score for Isaiah Jones with 5:04 to play in the third quarter.
It was indicative of how the Hoosiers reached the 16-0 mark in Year 2 under Cignetti. The former James Madison head coach compiled a roster of under-recruited and sometimes unknown players to earn a championship.
None of the raw numbers stand out from Monday’s game, but right plays at the right time made a difference.
Mendoza finished the game without a passing touchdown and 186 yards through the air. Running back Kaelon Black had 79 yards on 17 carries while Roman Hemby had 60 yards rushing.
Timely performances all around allowed Cignetti’s group to put the finishing touches on its two-year climb to the top. Indiana was just 3-9 in the 2023 season before Cignetti arrived from JMU.
Miami Nearly Makes It All The Way Back
While Indiana was working toward its first national championship, Miami was looking to return to its glory days Monday night. The U last won a title in 2001. The Hurricanes were an unlikely College Football Playoff finalist.
Mario Cristobal’s team was a controversial selection to enter the 12-team field as an at-large. Armed with a talented defense, the Hurricanes proceeded to take down three opponents in their first CFP appearance. Seventh-seeded Texas A&M was first before Miami defeated No. 2 Ohio State. A 31-27 win over sixth-seeded Ole Miss helped the Hurricanes secure their spot in the championship game.
Miami played from behind throughout the night in Miami Gardens after going down 10-0 in the second quarter. The Hurricanes trimmed the lead to 3 points on three occasions including twice in the fourth quarter.
Fletcher was the offensive star for Miami with 112 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns in the title game loss. His 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was one of the highlight moments for the Hurricanes.
His final performance of the season Monday night allowed Fletcher to pass Ezekiel Elliott for most yards in College Football Playoff history. The junior, who plans to return for the 2026 season, rushed for 507 yards across four playoff games.
