College football history was made on Jan. 19, 2026. A legacy was created, an empire was formed and a career is just getting started. The Indiana Hoosiers became undeniable.
On Jan. 19, the No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers, led by coach Curt Cignetti, took on the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes, led by coach Mario Cristobal. The two teams faced off for the most coveted prize in college football: the National Championship.
Indiana, a program long absent from college football’s biggest stage, finished the season 16-0 and captured its first national title. The Hoosiers relied on discipline, defense and timely execution to hold off a late Miami rally and secure one of the most improbable championships in CFP history.
The Hoosiers controlled the tempo early, taking a 10-0 lead into halftime behind a steady offensive approach and a defense that limited Miami’s explosive playmakers. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza managed the game efficiently, completing 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards without a turnover. While Indiana did not record a passing touchdown, Mendoza’s decision-making proved critical in sustaining drives and avoiding mistakes.
Miami struggled to find rhythm in the first half, failing to score until the third quarter. Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck finished with 232 passing yards and one touchdown, but an interception and early stalled drives kept Miami playing from behind for most of the night. Indiana’s defensive front consistently pressured Beck, disrupting timing and forcing hurried throws.
Special teams played a decisive role in the outcome. Indiana blocked a second-quarter punt and returned it for a touchdown — a momentum-shifting play that extended the Hoosiers’ lead and energized a fan base unaccustomed to championship moments. That score proved vital as Miami surged late.
The Hurricanes mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter behind running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Miami narrowed the gap to 20-14 and later pulled within six points, setting up a tense final stretch. With the pressure mounting, Indiana turned to Mendoza’s legs.
Facing a crucial fourth-and-four late in the fourth quarter, Mendoza kept the ball on a designed run and broke free for a 12-yard touchdown, giving Indiana a 27-14 lead and reclaiming momentum. Miami added a late score but could not recover the onside kick, allowing Indiana to run out the clock.
Defensively, Indiana was anchored by linebacker Mikail Kamara, who earned defensive MVP honors after recording multiple tackles for loss and helping contain Miami’s run game when it mattered most. The Hoosiers finished with two takeaways and repeatedly won the field-position battle.
The question everyone is asking: What is next for Fernando Mendoza? Mendoza made headlines with his now-famous LinkedIn status — “open for work.” He is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft and is projected to go No. 1 overall to the Tom Brady–owned Las Vegas Raiders.
For Indiana, the championship represents a transformational moment for the program and the Big Ten Conference. For Miami, the loss marked another near miss in its quest to return to the national championship heights last reached in the early 2000s.
On a night defined by resilience and belief, Indiana football reached the summit of the sport.