Indiana completes undefeated season and wins 1st national title, beating Miami 27-21 in College Football Playoff final
Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher celebrates after sacking Miami quarterback Carson Beck during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) (Marta Lavandier, Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title.
The Heisman Trophy winner finished with 186 yards passing, but it was his tackle-breaking, sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 left that defined this game — and the Hoosiers’ season.
Indiana would not be denied.
Mendoza’s TD gave turnaround artist Curt Cignetti’s team a 10-point lead — barely enough breathing room to hold off a frenzied charge by the hard-hitting Hurricanes, who bloodied Mendoza’s lip early, then came to life late behind 112 yards and two scores from Mark Fletcher but never took the lead.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
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