Indiana University football is perfect with national championship win over Miami
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A rare Curt Cignetti smile. Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The Indiana Hoosiers are national football champions for the very first time.
The big picture: Their 27-21 triumph Monday night over the Miami Hurricanes cemented Indiana University as the most recent collegiate athletic program with football and basketball teams claiming D-I national titles without losing a single game.
- IU went 16-0 this season.
What they're saying: "It took a lot to get here, but I'll tell you what it took to come out ahead in this game was a lot of guts," said IU coach Curt Cignetti, who plans to celebrate with a beer. "We won the national championship at Indiana University. It can be done. And I'm so happy for our fans … words can't describe it."
Driving the news: The No. 1 Hoosiers led for the duration of the game, and entered halftime up 10-0, but the No. 10 Hurricanes put up a good fight, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Zoom in: Miami scored within the first five minutes in the third quarter.
- But a huge defensive play helped the Hoosiers when defensive end Mikail Kamara blocked a punt and linebacker Isaiah Jones recovered it in the end zone.
- With less than two minutes left, the Hoosiers' lead was just 3 points.
- Another field goal in the fourth provided breathing room in the form of a 6-point lead, and the Hoosiers delivered the decisive blow when defensive back Jamari Sharpe intercepted a Carson Beck pass with just 44 seconds left.
Between the lines: IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza provided a steady hand under center, completing 16 of 27 passes and collecting 186 yards in the air with no interceptions.
- Mendoza also ran for a 12-yard touchdown with 9:18 left in the fourth quarter.
- "He's so tough," Cignetti said of his Heisman-winning QB. "He got hit. He had no time. He keeps getting back up. Just a great competitor, and there's no way this gets done without that kind of performance at that position."
For Mendoza — who told reporters "I would die for my team" amid the post-game celebration — Monday night was a game that required the Hoosiers to step up and play physical.
- "This is the most special moment of my life," he said while fighting back tears. "God bless. Go Hoosiers."
What's next: For Mendoza, likely the NFL, and Raiders owner Mark Davis — who happens to control the number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — was in Miami to witness his championship moment.
- If selected by Las Vegas, Mendoza would become just the sixth quarterback to win the Heisman, the national championship and be the No. 1 draft pick.