The Indiana University Hoosiers, led by Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, defeated the University of Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Jan. 19, 2026. According to ESPN, the Hoosiers were selected as the first seed in the bracket, and earned a first round bye, meaning that they did not play in the first round. The Hurricanes were selected as the tenth seed, and played in the first round.
Reported by CBS Sports, Miami beat the seventh seed Texas A&M Aggies in a low-scoring game that resulted in a final score of 10-3. From there on, they knocked out the second seed Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl with a final score of 24-14. The Buckeyes won the national championship in 2025. Their semifinal match in the Fiesta Bowl against the sixth seed Ole Miss Rebels resulted in a close 31-27 victory. Indiana’s path to the national championship took only two games before this. A 38-3 victory against the ninth seed Alabama Crimson Tide in the quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl was followed by a 56-22 semifinal victory against the fifth seed Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl.
According to ESPN, the game started with a punt by each team, followed by another Hurricanes punt. The Hoosiers were able to get the first points of the night, as kicker Nico Radicic made a field goal from 34 yards out, as Indiana led 3-0. Miami’s offense was still struggling, as they punted for the third time in the first quarter.
The second quarter began with a punt by the Hoosiers. Miami responded to this with another punt, as their offense was in a standstill and could not get any momentum going. The Hoosiers responded with momentum, as tight end Riley Nowakowski snuck into the end zone for a one yard touchdown. The point after touchdown (PAT), was converted by Radicic, giving Indiana a 10-0 lead. Miami had an opportunity to put points on the board, but was unsuccessful, as kicker Carter Davis missed a 50 yard field goal, keeping the deficit at 10 points. The Hoosiers ran out the rest of the second quarter, leading to halftime.
The third quarter would begin with an Indiana punt. The Hurricanes quickly responded, as running back Mark Fletcher Jr ran the ball in for a 57 yard touchdown, and the PAT was successful, cutting the deficit to three, with Indiana out in front 10-7. The Hurricane defense was able to force a punt, but the offense responded with one of its own, followed by another Indiana punt. Miami’s next punt would end up being blocked, as the Hoosiers’ special teams recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown, and with the PAT, the score was 17-7.
The Hurricanes started the fourth quarter with a touchdown, as Fletcher Jr found the end zone from three yards out, for his second touchdown of the game, with the score at 17-14 in Indiana’s favor. The Hoosiers responded, as on fourth down, with four yards to get a first down, Mendoza ran up the middle and lunged into the end zone from 12 yards out, extending Indiana’s lead to 24-14. Miami quickly answered back, as quarterback Carson Beck found wide receiver Malachi Tony for a 22 yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to three once again. Indiana would end up making another field goal, as Radicic connected on a 35 yard field goal. The Hurricanes were left with less than two minutes to go, and trailing 27-21. They had gained momentum on their next drive, getting to midfield. However, Beck threw a costly interception to Indiana’s Jamari Sharpe, which sealed the game for the Hoosiers. Two kneel downs by Mendoza ran out the clock, and the Hoosiers began the celebration.
After the game, Yahoo Sports reports that ESPN cameras caught Fletcher Jr throwing a punch at Indiana defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker. Mike Rumph, Miami Director of Recruiting, said that the punch was thrown because Tucker “was talking about Mark’s dads who passed away last year.” However, after this, Fletcher Jr was seen congratulating Mendoza on the victory. Stated by ESPN, due to the 12-team playoff bracket, the Hoosiers joined the 1894 Yale Bulldogs as the only teams to go 16-0.
ESPN reports that for Indiana’s stats, Mendoza, who is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, led the team in passing, with 16 completions on 27 attempts for 186 yards. Running back Kaelon Black led the team in rushing with 79 yards on 17 carries. Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr led the Hoosiers in receiving with 71 yards on five catches. For Miami, Beck led the team in passing with 19 completions on 32 attempts for 232 yards, a passing touchdown, and an interception. Fletcher Jr led the Hurricanes in rushing, with 112 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Toney led the team in receiving with 10 catches for 122 yards.
As the 2025 college football season comes to an end, the CFP trophy is going to Bloomington, Indiana.
