Fernando Mendoza delivered an extraordinary touchdown that propelled Indiana to its inaugural National Championship victory, edging out Miami with a thrilling 27-21 result on Monday night.
Amidst a star-studded audience that included Tom Brady and Donald Trump, Mendoza showcased his prowess as the premier quarterback in college football. His stunning solo effort in the fourth quarter decisively shifted momentum away from the Hurricanes.
Anticipated to be the top selection in the upcoming NFL Draft and the current holder of the Heisman Trophy, Mendoza surged into the end zone from 12 yards out on a pivotal fourth down play.
Although Miami had a fleeting opportunity to mount a comeback, quarterback Carson Beck’s interception with just 44 seconds remaining sealed their fate, igniting jubilant celebrations among Indiana’s players, coaches, and fans.
Brady, a legendary seven-time Super Bowl winner, was present in the stands, with his Las Vegas Raiders likely to select Mendoza as the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
This triumph at Miami’s own Hard Rock Stadium marks a pinnacle in the Hoosiers’ impressive ascent under the guidance of coach Curt Cignetti.
Fernando Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship success
The Heisman Trophy winner bulldozed himself into the end zone for a remarkable touchdown
Victory against the Miami Hurricanes completed Indiana’s remarkable rise under Curt Cignetti
Miami had a chance to win but quarterback Carson Beck was intercepted with 44 seconds left
Mendoza and teammate D’Angelo Ponds kiss the trophy among the joyous scenes in Miami
The 64-year-old took over a school with the most losses in major college football history in 2024. They had also played in a meagre 13 bowl games in the 130 years before his arrival. Now they have completed an undefeated 16-0 season.
The game also welcomed a star-studded crowd with Brady and Trump joined by the likes of Michael Irvin, Dana White, Mark Cuban, DJ Khaled and Livvy Dunne in the stands.
‘Congratulations to Indiana,’ said Trump. ‘Turned out to be a great game. Two great teams, wonderful teams with a lot of talent.’
Just before kick off, Trump was greeted by huge cheers from the Miami crowd after arriving to watch the game alongside members of his family.
Trump was joined at the final by his daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner and their two sons Joseph Frederick and Theo James.
Granddaughter Kai, the eldest child of Donald Trump Jr, was also in attendance with her mom Vanessa, as was Lara Trump, the wife of the president’s second son Eric, with their son Luke and young daughter Carolina.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the group on the night and was even seen walking on the field prior to kickoff, while UFC president and Trump ally Dana White also visited the suite.
Secretary Doug Burgum, personal senior counsel Boris Epshteyn, communications director Steven Cheung and Dan Scavino, the president’s longtime aide, were the other members of his administration in attendance.
Tom Brady watched on his Las Vegas Raiders prepare to draft Mendoza with the No. 1 pick
Donald Trump made a grand arrival at Hard Rock Stadium ahead of the national title game
The president was joined at the College Football Playoff final by his daughter Ivanka (right)
Trump’s granddaughter, aspiring golfer Kai (left), was also seen in his VIP suite at the game
After arriving at the stadium, Trump was seen waving to fans from behind the bulletproof glass in his VIP suite as he prepared to watch the game unfold.
When he was shown on the big screen during the American national anthem, the president appeared to get a huge ovation from the crowd inside Hard Rock Stadium.
They were treated to an epic final that came to life in the fourth quarter following a pair of remarkable plays that showed Mendoza’s mettle.
Two fourth-down gambles by Cignetti in the fourth quarter, after Mark Fletcher Jr.’s second touchdown carved the Hurricanes’ deficit to three, put Mendoza in position to shine.
The first was a 19-yard-completion to Charlie Becker on a back-shoulder. Then, four plays later, came a decision and play that wins championships.
Cignetti sent his kicker out on fourth-and-four from the 12, but quickly called his second timeout. The team huddled on the field and the coach drew up a quarterback draw, hoping the Hurricanes would be in a defense they had shown before.
‘We rolled the dice and said, “They´re going to be in it again and they were”,’ Cignetti said. ‘We blocked it well, he broke a tackle or two and got in the end zone.’
Not known as a run-first guy, Mendoza slipped one tackle, then took a hit and spun around. He kept his feet, then left them, going horizontal and stretching the ball out to score.
Mark Fletcher Jr. was an unstoppable force for Miami, scoring two rushing touchdowns
The Canes moved into Indiana territory before Beck’s heave got picked off by Jamari Sharpe
The NFL now beckons for Mendoza and the possibility of linking up with Brady in Las Vegas
Fletcher was a one-man force, hitting triple digits for the third time in four playoff games and transforming what had been a stale offense.
His first touchdown run was a 57-yard burst through the right side that pulled Miami within 10-7 early in the third quarter.
But after forcing an Indiana punt deep into Miami territory, Hoosiers lineman Mikail Kamara slid past the Hurricanes protectors and blocked the kick. Isaiah Jones recovered to make it 17-7 and Miami was in comeback mode the rest of the way.
It ended as a one-score game, and the Canes – the visiting team playing on their home field – moved into Indiana territory before Beck´s heave got picked off by Jamari Sharpe, a Miami native.
‘Did I think something like this was possible? Probably not,’ Cignetti said. ‘But if you keep your nose down and keep working, anything is possible.’
