At a Glance
- Top-seeded Indiana beat No. 10 Miami 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship
- Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza sealed the win with a 12-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run
- Indiana finished a perfect 16-0 in its debut title appearance
- Why it matters: The Hoosiers flipped from bottom-dweller to national champion in just two seasons under head coach Curt Cignetti
Indiana completed an undefeated season and claimed its first national football championship Monday night, holding off a late Miami surge for a dramatic 27-21 victory at Hard Rock Stadium.
The game began in a fog of punts and missed chances. Indiana led only 10-0 at halftime as Miami’s offense sputtered on the ground and through the air. The second half, however, delivered the momentum swings championship lore demands.
How the Tide Turned
Miami stormed back, trimming the deficit and putting Indiana’s perfect season in jeopardy. Each time the Hurricanes drew close, Fernando Mendoza answered. The Heisman Trophy winner capped his college career with a 12-yard touchdown scramble late in the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to six and leaving Miami with one final drive.
That drive ended in heartbreak for the Hurricanes. Quarterback Carson Beck, 23, launched a deep ball into coverage that was intercepted, extinguishing Miami’s hopes of ending a title drought dating to 2001.
Key Performances
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana: The potential No. 1 NFL pick completed 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards and delivered the decisive touchdown with his legs. The outing was not flawless, but his poise under fourth-quarter pressure reinforced his draft buzz.
Carson Beck, Miami: Beck rebounded from a shaky first half to finish 19 of 32 for 232 yards and a touchdown, yet the interception defined his night and, perhaps, his five-year college narrative.
Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami: The junior running back showcased NFL-ready talent, rumbling for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, including a 57-yard burst that ranks as the second-longest scoring run in BCS-era title history.
Turning Points by the Numbers
| Category | Indiana | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Third-down efficiency | 6-15 | 3-11 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Final Score | 27 | 21 |
Indiana’s defense bottled up Miami on third downs early, forcing six consecutive failures. The Hurricanes never found sustained rhythm, and even a strong defensive effort could not overcome the gap.
Coaching Impact
Curt Cignetti, 64, engineered one of the sport’s swiftest turnarounds. Two seasons ago the Hoosiers languished near the bottom of the Big Ten; now they sit atop college football. Players credit Cignetti’s steady culture-building and roster development for the program’s meteoric rise.
The challenge ahead will be sustaining success without Mendoza under center. Indiana’s ability to develop its next quarterback will determine whether this title proves a fleeting miracle or the start of a perennial powerhouse.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana finished 16-0, the only perfect record in the 2026 FBS season
- Miami’s last national championship remains the 2001 crown
- Mendoza’s dual-threat heroism likely locked him in as the No. 1 overall draft prospect
- Fletcher Jr.’s breakout performance gives Hurricanes fans optimism for 2027
- Indiana’s third-down defense proved championship-caliber, a hallmark of Cignetti’s rebuild
