Indiana secures first-ever college football title in win over Miami

For the primary time in program historical past, the Indiana Hoosiers are faculty soccer nationwide champions.

The Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in an absolute thriller, finishing their undefeated season below head coach Curt Cignetti.

The Hoosiers’ protection made issues tough for Carson Beck and firm from the beginning of this sport. The truth is, the Hurricanes’ offense did not have a primary till their ultimate drive of the primary half.

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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes towards Miami through the first half of the Faculty Soccer Playoff nationwide championship sport, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Picture/Rebecca Blackwell)

In the meantime, Miami did effectively to include the explosiveness of Indiana’s offense, permitting them to make only one subject purpose within the first quarter.

Fernando Mendoza, this season’s Heisman Trophy winner, led a methodical 14-play drive that lined 85 yards, with a third-and-goal from the one-yard line leading to Riley Nowakowski scoring the sport’s first landing.

Nowakowski solely had one rush try all season, however the play calling was excellent for the Hoosiers as they took a 10-0 lead.

TRUMP ARRIVES AT INDIANA-MIAMI COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Miami was on the hunt to attain a minimum of a subject purpose earlier than halftime, and so they received the possibility once they discovered themselves on fourth-and-2 on the Indiana 32-yard line. Carter Davis had an opportunity for a 50-yard subject purpose try, however it hit the upright and did not finish effectively.

Regardless of the pseudo-home benefit – Miami performs their dwelling video games at Onerous Rock Stadium – they remained scoreless at halftime.

However the second half noticed extra fireworks from each groups and that got here from the legs of Mark Fletcher Jr.

The Miami working again discovered a crease and he took it 57 yards to the home to brighten up not solely the Hurricanes sideline, however all their followers within the stands.

Mark Fletcher Jr. of the Miami Hurricanes runs for a landing within the third quarter towards the Indiana Hoosiers within the 2026 Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Onerous Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)

The ten-7 ball sport made issues extra attention-grabbing for Indiana, who had not felt this sort of momentum within the sport. Nevertheless it wasn’t the offense that received the job finished – it was particular groups.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Hoosiers broke by the road of scrimmage on a punt try by the Hurricanes, which was blocked close to the purpose line. Linebacker Isaiah Jones made certain to include the free ball, and his efforts made it 17-7 with 5:04 left within the third quarter.

However Miami had the proper reply, as this forwards and backwards on the scoreboard made the sport rather more thrilling.

Fletcher discovered the top zone once more and capped off a 10-play, 81-yard drive early within the fourth quarter.

A key second on this sport, nevertheless, got here on the following drive, when head coach Curt Cignetti determined to go for it twice on fourth down, together with fourth-and-5 from Miami’s 12-yard line. The play name? Depart it within the fingers of the Heisman winner.

Mendoza had a delayed tie and never solely crossed the road to win, however he fought off a number of tackles and launched himself over the purpose line for a hard-fought 12-yard landing run for an additional 10-point lead, 24-14.

However yeah, you guessed it: Miami answered. This was the Malachi Toney drive, because the 18-year-old true freshman had a 41-yard catch-and-run and capped a fast drive for the Hurricanes with a 22-yard run to the top zone.

Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers dives for a landing within the fourth quarter towards the Miami Hurricanes within the 2026 Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Onerous Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs)

The Hurricanes continued to chase the Hoosiers, however Mendoza and Indiana’s offense knew they’d an opportunity to seal their nationwide title with one other methodical drive, grabbing first downs and even scoring a landing for the knockout punch.

Charlie Becker, who was Mendoza’s loyal goal all night time, had a vital back-shoulder catch on third-and-7 to maintain the drive alive. However the Hoosiers made a vital false begin on second-and-1 within the purple zone, setting them again and in the end resulting in a essential Hurricanes cease.

After the Hoosiers secured their three factors, Beck and Miami had the chance to take the sphere and win the sport. A tough passer penalty helped Miami, who would have been going through third-and-15 from their very own 20-yard line had the flag not been thrown.

Beck moved the ball throughout midfield, however he made a brutal blunder, undermining a go that Jamari Sharpe learn completely. Sharpe secured the interception and with 44 seconds left and no Miami timeouts, secured the nationwide title.

Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a fourth-quarter landing towards the Miami Hurricanes within the 2026 Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Onerous Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)

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Within the field rating, Mendoza was 16 of 27 for 186 yards and his speeding rating, with Omar Cooper Jr. the Hoosiers led with 71 yards on 5 catches. Becker had 4 grabs for 65 yards, whereas Kaelon Black led the best way with 79 yards on 17 carries. Roman Hemby additionally had 19 carries for 60 yards.

For Miami, Beck was 19 of 32 for 232 yards with one landing and one interception. Toney completed the sport with 10 catches for 122 yards and his core, whereas Fletcher rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries.

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