For the first time ever, Indiana football are national champions.
Indiana defeated Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. The Hoosiers are the first 16-0 team since Yale did such in 1894.
The national title for Indiana completes one of the most incredible rises in college football history. Hired following the 2023 season at a school that had never in its history won double-digit games in a season, Curt Cignetti now has a 27-2 record and an undefeated national title to his name in Bloomington.
Miami had a chance to take the lead, receiving the ball at its 25-yard-line with 1:42 remaining. However, Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception with just over 40 seconds left, clinching the Hoosiers’ victory.
Heisman-award winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for 168 yards and no touchdowns, but had a memorable 12-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to give Indiana a 10-point lead.
For Miami, Beck had 232 passing yards and one touchdown, while running back Mark Fletcher Jr. had 112 rushing yards and two scores.
State pride from local teams and players was plentiful online for the national champions. Here’s all the top reactions from around the sports world to the Hoosiers’ victory:
Caitlin Clark, Haliburton lead reactions to Indiana’s national championship
