Completing the first 16-0 season in college football history, Indiana triumphed over the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 Monday night to claim the program's first national title. In a game that grew from a tense defensive slugfest to a breathtaking fourth-quarter shootout, the Hoosiers dug deep—defensive back Jamari Sharpe's game-saving interception sent Indiana fans into euphoria as they finally seized the trophy.
The game teetered on the edge of heartbreak in the second half. After Indiana's determined effort built a 10-0 halftime lead, Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. Finally found his groove. He electrified the stadium with a 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, slicing the lead to 10-7 as a restless energy pulsed through Hard Rock Stadium, putting the Indiana defense on its heels for the first time all night.
The fourth quarter turned wild from the start, with clear momentum shifts between both teams. Indiana appeared to take control when Mikail Kamara broke through and blocked Miami’s punt, recovering the ball in the end zone for a score that made it 17-7. Indiana regained the lead with that play.
Miami quickly responded on its next possession. Quarterback Carson Beck connected with his favorite target, C.J. Daniels, for a 25-yard gain, and then running back Fletcher finished the drive with his second rushing touchdown. The score became 17-14, tightening the game and stunning the Hard Rock Stadium crowd.
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At this point, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman winner from Miami, played a pivotal role. He led a decisive drive, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown run on fourth down to extend the lead to 24-14. His performance was the definition of the season and the program's soon-to-be history.
Miami was not finished. With less than seven minutes remaining, Miami quarterback Beck led his team downfield and threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to freshman Malachi Toney, narrowing the score to 24-21. Indiana's defense, now tired, had to return to the field to protect the perfect season.
Indiana responded on offense with a critical drive that chewed up four minutes and set up a field goal by Nicholas Radicic, pushing their lead to 27-21.
After nearly sealing the win, though, the Hurricanes failed to stun the Hoosiers in the closing minutes of regulation, as 1:42 was not enough to drive nearly the length of the field in front of their home fans.
When Cignetti showed up in Bloomington, he challenged fans to "Google me." Now, in just two years, he has rewarded their faith with a perfect season and a national championship for a school that once carried the most losses in FBS history—a fairy-tale transformation that left an entire fanbase in disbelief and celebration.
It's the Big Ten's third-straight national title, as the Hoosiers joined the Ohio State Buckeyes (2024) and Michigan Wolverines (2023) in subsequent years.
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