Fernando Mendoza spoils Miami's National Championship Dream

In a result that will echo through college football history, the Indiana Hoosiers shocked the Miami Hurricanes on Monday night, securing a 27-21 victory and capturing the program's first National Championship. A team long overlooked on the national stage delivered on the sport's biggest night, completing one of the most improbable title runs in recent memory.

Indiana entered the game 15-0 with the Heisman QB Fernando Mendoza on their side but lots of talk that the Hoosiers hadn't faced a defense like the Hurricanes. From the opening kickoff, the Hoosiers played with confidence that suggested they were anything but intimidated.

Head coach Curt Cignetti guided Indiana from consecutive losing seasons into national champions, a feat that has captured the attention of the college football world. The Hoosiers never trailed in the game heading to the dressing room at halftime up 10-0 but had to withstand multiple Miami rallies.

A late interception by Indiana defensive back Jamari Sharpe with under a minute remaining sealed the victory and ensured Miami couldn't complete a comeback. Mendoza finished with 186 passing yards and delivered a key 12-yard touchdown run on fourth down that helped build a decisive lead. Miami QB Carson Beck threw for over 230 yards, and running back Mark Fletcher Jr rushed for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns, keeping the Hurricanes in contention.

Mendoza, a state champion with Christopher Columbus High School in Miami was denied by the Miami Hurricanes out of high school coming full circle facing the Canes as well as Mario Cristobal another Columbus alumni. Indiana became the first FBS team to go 16-0 since the 1894 Yale Bulldogs. The Hoosiers win marks the third straight national title from the BIG 10 Conference.

Written by: Daniel Torres

Fernando Mendoza spoils Miami's National Championship Dream