Miami falls to Indiana in CFP National Championship
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UM fell to the undefeated Hoosiers in the CFP Championship. Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
The Miami Hurricanes' stunning playoff run ended in heartbreak Monday night, as they lost to the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers 27-21 in the CFP National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium.
- It was the Hoosiers' first-ever football national title.
Why it matters: While Miami was unable to claim its sixth football championship, the Canes' playoff run signals a return to national prominence not seen since The U's heyday more than two decades ago.
Standout plays: Indiana led the Canes throughout the game, going into the half 10-0 after UM missed a field goal attempt with less than a minute left in the second quarter.
- UM's Mark Fletcher Jr. ran 57 yards to score a touchdown for the team's first drive of the second half.
- But a blocked punt for a touchdown by Indiana put them back up for a 17-7 lead.
- With under a minute left, Indiana intercepted Miami QB Carson Beck, effectively ending the game.
MVP: Hoosiers QB and Miami native Fernando Mendoza was named the Offensive Player of the Game.
- Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara was named the defensive MVP.
Catch up quick: The Hurricanes had been mostly an also-ran since winning UM's last title in 2001, but the team began this season with a bang, defeating then-No. 6 Notre Dame 27-24.
- The U won five games straight after that opener before falling to the Louisville Cardinals for the first loss of the season.
- The second loss came in November to Southern Methodist University, 26-20 in overtime. The team dropped 6-2, hindering Miami's ACC championship and College Football Playoff hopes.
- Then came the fun part: It won seven straight games and was selected as the last "at-large" team to participate in the 12-team tourney.
What set this season apart: The defense. The U forced 47 sacks and 96 tackles prior to the title game, per the Miami Herald, and allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game.
- Their 25 turnovers tied for the ninth most nationally, the Herald reported.
Meanwhile, Beck, Fletcher and Miami-native wide receiver Malachi Toney, the ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, led the offense.
What's next: Beck has used up his college eligibility and is expected to enter the NFL draft. Miami is also likely to lose its defense's two biggest stars to the pros: pass rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.
What they're saying: Speaking to ESPN after the game, UM head coach Mario Cristobal called his team a "resilient, tough, truly special group of human beings."
- "They've been the best thing that's happened to the University of Miami and the community in 25 years," he added.