FOOTBALL: Indiana caps stunning title run with tight win over Miami

Fernando Mendoza grew up just a few miles from the University of Miami campus and dreamed of becoming the Hurricanes’ quarterback.

But while he played at Columbus High School, Miami coach Manny Diaz’s staff wasn’t impressed, and Mendoza was set to attend Yale. Then Cal entered the picture, and Mendoza redshirted his first season with the Golden Bears before starting the next two seasons. He transferred to Indiana after the 2024 season.

On Monday night, Mendoza delivered the ultimate form of payback. He led Indiana to its first national championship with a 27-21 win over his hometown Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff title game at Miami Gardens, Florida.

Mendoza was named Offensive Player of the Game and scored a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown with a memorable solo effort that will be remembered in Hoosiers history.

“This is the most special moment of my life,” Mendoza said. “It’s super sweet for me. I was a two-star recruit coming out of high school. I was declined for a walk-on offer from the University of Miami. Full circle moment. I played in Miami tonight in front of friends and family.”

Defensive Player of the Game Mikail Kamara made a key blocked punt, and Miami native Jamari Sharpe intercepted Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck with 44 seconds left, sealing the win for the top-seeded Hoosiers (16-0).

Indiana’s victory caps a remarkable turnaround. The Hoosiers went 9-27 over a three-season span earlier this decade, but are now 27-2 in two seasons under coach Curt Cignetti.

“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 scored a rushing touchdown, and Isaiah Jones recovered the blocked punt in the end zone. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, completed 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards. Indiana was the designated home team, even though the game was played in Miami’s stadium.

Cignetti said the championship would not have been possible without Mendoza, who led the nation with 41 touchdown passes despite not throwing a touchdown on Monday for the second time this season.

“He’s so tough. He got his head beat in,” Cignetti said. “He had no time. He keeps getting back up. Just a great competitor. There’s no way this gets done without this kind of performance at that position. I can’t say enough great things about him.”

For Miami (13-3), Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Beck completed 19 of 32 passes for 232 yards, one touchdown, and the costly interception. Malachi Toney had 10 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown.

The Hurricanes have won five national titles, most recently in 2001. Miami coach Mario Cristobal praised his players despite the loss.

“That’s a really resilient, tough, really special group of human beings,” Cristobal said. “They are all elite competitors and the best thing to happen to the University of Miami and the community in 25 years.”

Miami fell behind 10-0 before Fletcher broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run with 11:06 left in the third quarter—the longest run of his career.

Later in the quarter, Kamara blocked a slow punt by Miami’s Dylan Joyce. Jones recovered the ball in the end zone, giving Indiana a 17-7 lead with 5:04 left in the period.

“I just saw the blood in the water,” Kamara said. “I shot my shot and I heard that double thud and it was over.”

Miami responded with a 10-play, 81-yard drive. Fletcher scored from the 3-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter to pull Miami within three points.

Indiana then converted two crucial fourth downs to regain momentum.

On fourth-and-5 at the Miami 37, Mendoza connected with Charlie Becker for 19 yards. On fourth-and-4 from the 12, Mendoza kept the ball, broke a tackle, and dove into the end zone to make it 24-14 with 9:18 remaining.

“I had to go airborne,” Mendoza said. “I would die for my team.”

Miami answered with an eight-play, 91-yard drive. Toney took a reverse for a 22-yard touchdown, cutting Indiana’s lead to three with 6:37 left.

Mendoza then completed key third-down passes to Omar Cooper Jr. and Becker, setting up Nico Radicic’s 35-yard field goal with 1:42 remaining. The Hurricanes needed a touchdown but failed to recover.

“Credit to Indiana. Great football team, but our guys never stopped,” Cristobal said. “At the end, we had a turnover. We had a chance to win all the way to the end, but we didn’t get it done.”

Indiana dominated the first half, limiting Miami to just 69 yards and three first downs while leading 10-0 at halftime.

Indiana’s first points came from Radicic’s 34-yard field goal with 2:42 left in the first quarter. Nowakowski added a 1-yard touchdown run with 6:13 left in the half, extending the lead to 10.

—Field Level Media/Reuters