MIAMI — One of the wildest turnarounds in sports history is complete, and the final round of this incredible journey was as dramatic as the Hoosiers metamorphosis was unpredictable.
Throw out any example you want, Indiana now goes to the top of the list in worst-to-first finishes.
Prior to this storybook season, the Hoosiers had suffered the most Division I losses all time. Prior to Curt Cignetti’s arrival two years ago, they last finished in the Top 10 back in 1967. They went a combined 9-27 the previous three seasons.
Now, Indiana is the envy of the entire sport, after finishing off a perfect campaign for its first national championship in school history, and the first 16-0 season in over a century. Miami was in its home stadium, but felt like the visitors, Hoosiers fans making Hard Rock Stadium sound like Bloomington, Ind., throughout this memorable 27-21 victory in front of 67,227 in South Florida.
“The Miracle on Ice I don’t think is anything compared to this,” said Indiana alum and booster Mark Cuban, the former Mavericks owner.
Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter.
Indiana never trailed, but it sure had to sweat. The lead ping-ponged from 10 to three on three separate occasions after halftime, the teams trading long scoring drives like a pair of prize fighters exchanging big right hands in the middle of the ring. It wasn’t until Jamari Sharpe, a defensive back from Miami playing in his hometown, picked off Carson Beck at the Indiana 12-yard line with less than a minute to go that the title belonged to the Hoosiers.
Fernando Mendoza saved his best for last, leading Indiana’s previously sputtering offense on a pair of long scoring drives when one Miami stop could’ve given the Hurricanes the opening they needed. The Heisman Trophy winner scored on a gutty 12-yard run on fourth down early in the fourth quarter in which he broke one tackle and was crushed as he dove across the goal line.
“[Fernando Mendoza] has the heart of a lion when it comes to competition,” Cignetti said.
Mendoza connected on two key third down conversions on the next offensive possession, as Indiana ate up 4:55 of clock and extended the lead to six with 1:47 to go. Miami moved the ball into Indiana territory when Beck was picked off, and the celebration was on.
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) celebrates with defensive back Louis Moore (7) after making an interception against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
“Let me tell you: We won the national championship at Indiana University,” Cignetti said. “It can be done.”
He later added: “I think we sent a message, first of all, to society that if you keep your nose to the grindstone, work hard, and you got the right people, anything is possible.”
It was typical Indiana football under Cignetti: Mistake-free. The Hoosiers offense wasn’t at its best until it was needed, the defense came up aces in crunch time and special teams made a massive play, flipping momentum late in the third quarter. Mikail Kamara, one of several Indiana players who followed Cignetti from James Madison, blocked a Dylan Joyce punt and Isaiah Jones landed on it in the end zone, extending the lead to 10.
“I didn’t think it was possible,” Kamara said. “To do this today, it’s surreal.”
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti smiles after their win against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Indiana led 10-0 at halftime, but it didn’t feel that close. The Hoosiers were more than doubling up the Hurricanes in total yards (169-69), first downs (11-3) and rushing yards (50-23). Miami had one play of over 10 yards, a 25-yard completion from Beck to CJ Daniels.
Miami blew a chance at the end of the half to cut into its deficit, after converting a 4th-and-1 from its own 34-yard line. The Hurricanes got conservative at the end of the drive, and Carter Davis missed a 50-yard field goal attempt wide right.
Early in the third quarter, a different tenor was set. Miami twice sacked Mendoza on Indiana’s opening drive and Mark Fletcher Jr. went 57 yards over the right side, the biggest play of the game up to that juncture. On the next Hoosiers possession, usually sure-handed receiver Elijah Sarratt dropped a wide open pass on third down — the rare Indiana mistake. Momentum was turning, until the Hoosiers came up with a huge play, Kamara’s blocked punt. It set up a classic final quarter that wasn’t decided until less than a minute remained.
It was apropos of this incredible story, the drama building to a crescendo. Mendoza left his feet for the deciding score and the Indiana defense had his back, making one last stop as Miami threatened to ruin everything.
“It probably is one of the greatest sports stories of all time,” Cignetti said.
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