A Historic Night for Indiana Football

For the first time in program history, the Indiana Hoosiers are college football national champions. Indiana capped an undefeated season with a thrilling 27–21 victory over the Miami Hurricanes, delivering one of the most dramatic title games in recent memory.

The Hoosiers had never reached the championship game before, making the win not just a victory, but a defining moment in the program’s history under head coach Curt Cignetti.

Defense Sets the Tone Early

Indiana’s defense came out relentless, holding Miami without a first down until the Hurricanes’ final drive of the first half. Despite playing in Miami’s home stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, the Hurricanes entered halftime scoreless after a missed 50-yard field goal attempt.

Indiana managed just a field goal early, but quarterback Fernando Mendoza — the season’s Heisman Trophy winner — engineered a methodical 85-yard touchdown drive late in the second quarter to give the Hoosiers a 10–0 lead.

Momentum Swings and Special Teams Brilliance

Miami finally struck early in the second half with a 57-yard touchdown run from Mark Fletcher Jr., igniting the Hurricanes’ sideline. But Indiana responded with a game-changing special teams play, blocking a Miami punt near the goal line and recovering it for a touchdown.

The back-and-forth continued into the fourth quarter, with both teams trading scores in a tense battle that kept fans on edge.

Heisman Moment Seals the Title

The defining play came on a bold fourth-down call late in the game. Mendoza kept the ball on a delayed draw, powering through multiple defenders and diving into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown that restored Indiana’s two-score lead.

Miami had one final chance, but an interception by Jamari Sharpe with 44 seconds remaining sealed the Hoosiers’ historic championship.

Indiana finished the night undefeated — and forever changed.