Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final
By EDDIE PELLS - AP National Writer
Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final
Marta Lavandier - AP
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates after scoring against Miami during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Marta Lavandier - AP
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates after scoring against Miami during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final
Lynne Sladky - AP
Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara blocks a punt by Miami punter Dylan Joyce during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Lynne Sladky - AP
Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara blocks a punt by Miami punter Dylan Joyce during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final
Lynne Sladky - AP
Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. scores against Indiana during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Lynne Sladky - AP
Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. scores against Indiana during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final
Marta Lavandier - AP
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.
Marta Lavandier - AP
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.
Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final
Rebecca Blackwell - AP
Miami quarterback Carson Beck is sacked by Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Rebecca Blackwell - AP
Miami quarterback Carson Beck is sacked by Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — 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.
