No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27–21 on Monday night to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium. The victory delivered the first national title in Indiana football history.
Head coach Curt Cignetti completed a remarkable turnaround in just two seasons. Less than 800 days after taking over, he led Indiana to an unbeaten regular season, its first outright Big Ten title in 80 years, and now a national championship. His record stands at 27–2, with the 27th win securing the title.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza closed his college career as a champion in his hometown. He became the first Heisman winner to claim a national title since Devonta Smith in 2020. Mendoza finished the game 16-of-27 for 186 yards and guided Indiana through critical moments.
HOOSIERS ARE KINGS OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!! 🏆 🤯 🔥
A final-minute interception of Carson Beck seals a first-ever National Championship for the University of Indiana!!#CFBNationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/Y0dglUyCJU
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) January 20, 2026Mendoza is widely projected as the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Executives from the Las Vegas Raiders, including minority owner Tom Brady, attended the game. The moment carried added meaning for Mendoza, who grew up idolising Brady as a New England Patriots fan.
Indiana’s defence delivered another dominant performance. Miami quarterback Carson Beck threw for 232 yards on 19-of-32 passing, while the Hurricanes managed only 110 rushing yards. Miami ended the season 13–3, falling just short of winning a title on home turf.
The Hoosiers finished 16–0, marking the first perfect season by a major Division I program since Yale in 1894. The run included landmark wins over Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Oregon, Alabama, and Ohio State.
Indiana entered the playoff as the top seed after winning the Big Ten Championship. It dismantled Alabama in the quarterfinals, crushed Oregon in the semifinal, and then sealed history by beating Miami in the final.
With 16 straight wins and a flawless season, Indiana silenced all doubts and now stands alone at the top of college football as the national champion.
