History Made: Indiana Caps Perfect Season with First National Championship
The Hoosiers have done what once felt impossible - and they’ve done it perfectly.
In just his second year at the helm, Curt Cignetti has led Indiana to its first-ever National Championship, completing a dream season with a flawless 16-0 record. Along the way, the Hoosiers checked off a laundry list of firsts: first undefeated season, first Big Ten title, first Rose Bowl victory, and now, three straight College Football Playoff wins to claim the sport’s biggest prize.
This wasn’t just a championship - it was a full-scale rewriting of Indiana football history.
Defense Set the Tone Early
Indiana came out swinging on the defensive end, pitching a first-half shutout against a Miami offense that had carved up opponents in the playoffs with a mix of downhill running and deep strikes. The Hoosiers led 10-0 at the break, and while the Hurricanes threatened at times, Indiana’s defense made sure they never found a rhythm.
Mikail Kamara delivered one of the game’s biggest momentum plays, blocking a punt that Isaiah Jones scooped up and returned for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. That gave Indiana a 17-7 cushion and set the tone for the final stretch. It was the kind of play that championship teams make - high-stakes, high-impact, and perfectly timed.
Mendoza Grits It Out
Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza didn’t light up the stat sheet in this one - under 200 passing yards and three sacks taken - but he showed exactly why he’s the guy Indiana trusted all season long. Miami brought pressure and made him work for every inch, but Mendoza stayed poised, especially when it mattered most.
On a critical 4th and 5, with the game still hanging in the balance, Mendoza called his own number and took it to the house. That touchdown run would be Indiana’s last of the game - and it was the dagger.
Not flashy, but gutsy. And in a game where style points didn’t matter, it was exactly what the Hoosiers needed.
Unsung Heroes Step Up
With standout receiver Elijah Sarratt sidelined due to injury, Indiana turned to sophomore Charlie Becker - and he delivered. Becker came up with a couple of clutch, contested third-down grabs that extended drives and drained valuable clock. They weren’t highlight-reel plays, but they were the kind of gritty, possession-saving catches that keep championship hopes alive.
It’s those little moments - a block here, a third-down catch there - that separate good teams from great ones. And this Indiana team, make no mistake, is a great one.
A Gritty Finish to a Perfect Run
This wasn’t Indiana’s flashiest performance of the season. They didn’t cover the spread.
The offense wasn’t humming like it had in earlier playoff rounds. But what they did do was out-tough a Miami team full of firepower and finish the job.
Cignetti’s squad leaned on its defense, trusted its quarterback, and found just enough offense to control the tempo in the second half. Mendoza managed the clock with veteran savvy, and the Hoosiers closed out the game the way champions do - with poise, toughness, and just enough magic.
Now, Indiana stands alone at the top of college football - undefeated, unshaken, and unforgettable.