The Indiana University captured its first football national championship with a 27–21 win over the hometown Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff title game in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, named Offensive Player of the Game, delivered a defining moment in the fourth quarter with a clutch touchdown run that will live on in Hoosiers history. Defensive Player of the Game Mikail Kamara made a huge impact with a blocked punt, and Miami native Jamari Sharpe sealed the victory with an interception of Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck with 44 seconds remaining. The top-seeded Hoosiers completed a perfect 16–0 season, capping a remarkable turnaround.
Just a few years ago, Indiana endured a 9–27 stretch over three seasons. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, however, the program has surged to a 27–2 record over the past two years.
“We won the national championship at Indiana University,” Cignetti said. “It can be done. I’m so happy for our fans. Words can’t describe it.”
Riley Nowakowski added a rushing touchdown, and Isaiah Jones recovered Kamara’s blocked punt in the end zone for another score. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, completed 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards. Although the game was played in the Hurricanes’ home stadium, Indiana served as the designated home team.
Miami, which has won five national championships — most recently in 2001 — fought back after the Sierra Leonean-American, Kamara’s game-changing play late in the third quarter. With the Hurricanes set to punt, Kamara broke through and deflected the kick with his left hand. Jones pounced on the loose ball in the end zone, giving Indiana a 17–7 lead with 5:04 left in the quarter.
“I just saw the blood in the water,” Kamara said. “I shot my shot and I heard that double thud and it was over.”
The Hurricanes responded with a 10-play, 81-yard drive to cut into the deficit. Indiana answered by converting two fourth downs on its next possession to extend its lead back to 10 points. Facing fourth-and-4 from the 12-yard line, Mendoza kept the ball, picked up the first down, broke a tackle, and leapt across the goal line to make it 24–14 with 9:18 to play.
Miami countered with an eight-play, 91-yard drive to stay within striking distance. But Mendoza calmly led another key possession, completing third-down passes to Omar Cooper Jr. and Becker to set up Nico Radicic’s 35-yard field goal with 1:42 remaining, forcing the Hurricanes to chase a touchdown in the final moments.
“I know nobody thought it was possible,” Cignetti said. “It probably is one of the greatest sports stories of all time.”
