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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza holds the trophy after their win against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in miami Gardens, Fla.
Marta Lavandier/AP
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Marta Lavandier/AP
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title.
The Heisman Trophy winner finished with 186 yards passing, but it was his tackle-breaking, sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 left that defined this game – and the Hoosiers’ season.
Indiana would not be denied.
“I had to go airborne,” said Mendoza, who had his lip split and his arm bloodied by a ferocious Miami defense that sacked him three times and hit him many more. “I would die for my team.”
Mendoza’s TD gave turnaround artist Curt Cignetti’s team a 24-14 lead – barely enough breathing room to hold off a frenzied charge by th
Players like Mendoza – a transfer from Cal who grew up just a few miles away from Miami’s campus, “The U” – certainly don’t come around often.
Two fourth-down gambles by Cignetti in the fourth quarter, after Fletcher’s second touchdown carved the Hurricanes’ deficit to three, put Mendoza in position to shine.
The first was a 19-yard-completion to charlie Becker on a back-shoulder fade those guys have been perfecting all season. Four plays later came a decision and play that wins championships.
Cignetti sent his kicker out on fourth-and-4 from the 12, but quickly called his second timeout. The team huddled on the field and the coach drew up a quarterback draw, hoping the Hurricanes would be in a defense they had shown before.
“We rolled the dice and said, ‘They’re going to be in it again and they were,'” Cignetti said. “We blocked it well, he broke a tackle or two and got in the end zone.”
Not known as a run-first guy, Mendoza slipped one tackle, then took a hit and spun around. He kept his feet, then left them, going horizontal and stretching the ball out - a ready-made poster pic for a title run straight from the movies.
Indiana Completes Stunning Rise to College Football Championship
Miami Gardens,Fla. – in a stunning upset, the Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 38-31 to win the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday, January 19, 2026. The victory caps an improbable season for a programme historically known for its struggles.
Marta Lavandier/AP
The Hoosiers’ journey to the championship was remarkable. Once a program so struggling that a coach once paused a game to photograph a 7-6 lead over Ohio State, Indiana defeated the Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game this season to earn the playoff’s top seed.
Indiana dominated their first two playoff games, winning by a combined score of 94-25. Quarterback Mateo Mendoza excelled, throwing eight touchdown passes to just five incompletions.
The championship game proved a tougher challenge. Miami’s running back, Jalen Fletcher, proved a formidable opponent, rushing for over 100 yards for the third time in four playoff games and revitalizing the Hurricanes’ offense.
The game remained close, and Miami, playing on their home field, advanced into Indiana territory.Though, a late interception by Indiana’s Jamari Sharpe, a Miami native, sealed the victory for the Hoosiers.
“Did I think somthing like this was possible? Probably not,” said Indiana coach Curtis Cignetti. “But if you keep your nose down and keep working, anything is absolutely possible.”
