In a College Football Playoff National Championship that will be remembered for its drama, legacy and unexpected storylines, the Miami Hurricanes came up just short in a 27-21 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami, vying for its first national title since 2001, fought with heart and grit, but an undefeated Indiana squad — led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza — had just enough in the tank to secure the Hoosiers’ first national championship in program history.
From the opening whistle, Indiana took charge. The Hoosiers jumped out to a 10-0 lead before halftime and never relinquished control. Miami’s defense, which had been one of the nation’s stingiest throughout the season, faced its toughest test of the year against a poised, explosive Indiana offense. Despite the Hurricanes’ best efforts — including two second-half rushing touchdowns by running back Mark Fletcher Jr. — Indiana’s balanced attack and opportunistic defense kept Miami at bay.
The defining moment of the game — and the season — came midway through the fourth quarter. On fourth-and-4, with Indiana clinging to a slim edge, Mendoza took the snap and ripped off a 12-yard touchdown run, barreling through would-be tacklers and stretching the ball across the goal line with sheer force and determination. The sequence became an instant classic, encapsulating his competitive spirit and the Hoosiers’ Cinderella run.
Mendoza’s performance was emblematic of his entire season: clutch when it mattered most. Finishing the game with 186 passing yards and that memorable rushing score, he was named the offensive MVP and cemented his status as one of the top NFL draft prospects in the 2026 class.
For Football Hotbed readers, Mendoza’s rise carries a special meaning. Long before he was leading Indiana on college football’s biggest stage, Mendoza made a name for himself on the Football Hotbed national showcase circuit. As a high school standout out of Miami’s Christopher Columbus High School, he took part in Football Hotbed’s National Sophomore Showcase, an event designed to expose emerging talent to college recruiters and national audiences.
The platform played a vital role early in his development, giving college programs a closer look at his unique blend of size, arm talent and athleticism. Though he was a two-star prospect coming out of high school, Mendoza’s early exposure helped him garner attention that eventually led to scholarship offers and, ultimately, his collegiate path that saw him develop into a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion.
Miami’s season will go down as a triumphant return to relevance — the Hurricanes reestablished themselves among college football’s elite and battled all the way to the title game. But on this night, it was the story of an underdog program and a Football Hotbed alum who defied expectations that stole the spotlight.
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