Indiana Wins First Football National Title, 27‑21 Over Miami Indiana defeated Miami 27‑21 to claim its first football national championship, completing a flawless 16‑0 campaign under head coach Curt Cignetti. The victory came in the College Football Playoff final, the first under the expanded 12‑team format, and matches Yale’s 1894 perfect‑season benchmark. The Hoosiers earned the No. 1 seed after winning the Big Ten title earlier in the year [1][2][3].

Mendoza’s Fourth‑Down Run Secures Lead in Final Quarter Quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered a 12‑yard touchdown run on fourth‑and‑4 with 9:18 left, pushing Indiana’s lead to 24‑14. The play followed two aggressive fourth‑down calls by Cignetti, including a 19‑yard pass to Charlie Becker and a quarterback draw after a timeout. Mendoza, a Cal transfer who grew up near Miami, absorbed three sacks earlier but stayed in the play to secure the win [1][2][3].

Miami’s Late Rally Stalled by Sharpe Interception Miami’s comeback hinged on running back Mark Fletcher’s 112 rushing yards and two second‑half touchdowns, narrowing the gap to 27‑21. A late drive threatened to overturn the lead, but Jamari Sharpe intercepted Carson Beck’s pass in Indiana territory, sealing the outcome. Fletcher’s effort represented Miami’s only scoring surge, yet it fell short despite the pressure [1][2][3].

Key Plays and Historical Milestones Define Hoosier Turnaround Special teams contributed when Mikail Kamara blocked a Miami kickoff, with Isaiah Jones recovering to extend the Hoosiers’ advantage, a play highlighted by the AP. Miami coach Mario Cristobal praised Indiana as the program’s best development in 25 years, underscoring the upset’s magnitude. Cignetti’s revival echoes historic Indiana achievements, tying Yale’s perfect season and mirroring Bob Knight’s 32‑0 basketball run half a century earlier [1][2][3].