MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Jan. 19 (UPI) — Fernando Mendoza glared at his fingertips, spotting bloodshed from a split lip courtesy of Miami’s nasty defense.
The Miami native responded to the first quarter slash by literally licking his wound, delivering in the clutch and guiding the Indiana Hoosiers to a 27-21 win over the Hurricanes (13-3) for their first national title at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
“Everybody doubted us at the beginning of the year,” Mendoza, the Offensive Player of the Game, said at the trophy presentation.
“We didn’t make it this far not to lay it on the line.”
Fernando Mendoza took a hit on this play pic.twitter.com/phaZoT2X92— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
Mendoza, often bothered by the Hurricanes’ tenacious pass rush and uncharacteristically inaccurate, found rhythm when it mattered most — converting twice on fourth down on the same fourth quarter drive, including a Superman-like dive for the game’s most crucial score.
The win punctuated the Hoosiers’ 16-0 season, the first such mark in college football since the 1894 Yale Bulldogs. Mendoza completed 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards, but failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since Week 1.
The Hoosiers weathered the Hurricanes’ previously productive offense, led by a physical running attack, holding them to a historically slow start. Their 18 first-quarter yards were the fewest in the history of a College Football Playoff finale.
Mendoza’s Hoosiers also started slow, but dominated the clock before their offense resurrected rhythm. They scored the lone points of the first quarter off a 34-yard Nicolas Radicic field goal. Riley Nowakowski added a 1-yard rushing score midway through the second quarter for a two-possession edge at halftime.
Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. carried the Hurricanes back into the game with a 57-yard rushing score four minutes into the second half.
The Hoosiers answered with the first blocked punt return for a score in College Football Playoff history, but the Hurricanes weren’t buried yet.
Hoosiers defensive lineman Mikail Kamara blocked the punt, which was recovered in the end zone by linebacker Isaiah Jones with 5:04 remaining in the third quarter.
“I just saw blood in the water,” said Kamara, the Defensive Player of the Game.
Beck and the Hurricanes quickly narrowed that 10-point deficit with a 10-play, 81-yard touchdown drive. Fletcher ended the possession with a 3-yard run.
Mendoza and the Hoosiers bounced back with a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive, which ended with the Heisman Trophy winner running for a 12-yard touchdown.
FERNANDO. MENDOZA.
THE PLAY OF A LIFETIME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/g3o5nNNslr— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
That score — a punishing run from Mendoza — helped the Hoosiers push their lead back to 10. The Hurricanes, who kept pace in the rabid final minutes, were eventually doomed by the final turnover of their stellar season.
Freshman phenom Malachi Toney scored on a 22-yard catch about three minutes after Mendoza’s run. Mendoza marched the Hoosiers back into Hurricanes territory on the next drive, chewing up clock and triggering a 35-yard Radicic field goal.
Beck brought the Hurricanes past midfield on the Hurricanes’ final possession. But his final pass — a deep attempt down the left flank — was intercepted by Hoosiers defensive back — and Miami native — Jamari Sharpe, effectively ending the game.
INDIANA PICKS IT, THE HOOSIERS ARE ON THE VERGE OF A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP‼️ pic.twitter.com/YFTgZUVC4x— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
Beck completed 19 of 32 passes for 232 yards and a score, in addition to his interception. Fletcher ran for 112 yards and two scores. Toney caught 10 passes for 122 yards and a score.
Akheem Mesidor logged two sacks for the Hurricanes. Fellow pass rusher Rueben Bain also recorded a sack in the loss.
Kaelon Black led the Hoosiers rushing attack, with 17 carries for 79 yards. Omar Cooper Jr. caught five passes for 71 yards in the win.
With Monday’s victory, the Hoosiers became the third consecutive Big Ten team to win a national title, joining Michigan (2023-24) and Ohio State (2024-25).
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