Indiana defeats Miami in thrilling CFP title game to win first national title - CBS Sports

The Hoosiers accomplished one of college football's greatest feats by winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Miami.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.-- No. 1 Indiana used a legendary run by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza to defeat No. 10 Miami 27-21 and capture the first national championship in program history.

The Hoosiers faced a quarterback in the fourth quarter deep in Miami territory.After initially throwing out the punting unit, coach Curt Cignetti called a timeout and brought the offense back onto the field.Indiana engineered a quarterback draw for Mendoza, who bounced off several defenders before diving into the end zone for the incredible touchdown.

Miami responded with a late surge, with tight end Mark Fletcher Jr. and receiver Malachi Toney breaking tackles for a 22-yard touchdown.But Indiana's offense continued to respond.

Mendoza connected with Omar Cooper Jr. on third down for 14 yards and then Charlie Baker connected on a 19-yard pass on third down.The Indians scored on a field goal as time ran out to extend the lead to six points.

Miami had one last chance at 1:47.A roughing the pass penalty helped erase two completions, but quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception to Jamari Sharpe with 44 seconds left, allowing Indiana to run out the clock and secure its historic win.

by the numbers

-Wets Cancel Levels Support Clock In the School Book

- Most losing season in FBS history: 715

- IND: 7th favorite to win the CFP National Championship game

- IND: 6 wins vs AP ranked teams (school record; previous record 3 in 1945 and 2020)

- IND: First win against ACC team since 2018 (vs. Virginia)

Team records under Curt Cignetti

|Record Type |Statistics |

|Played for 20+ points |26-0 |

|Games allowing fewer than 27 points |26-0 |

|Opponent Passing Game |25-0 (2-2 for loss of rushing yards) |

Key Player Notes

- Jamari Sharpe - Intercepting game signals

Miami-natives are not offered scholarships in Miami.

- Nephew of Glenn Sharpe, called for pass interference in 2002 national championship game vs. Ohio State

- Peronso Merdoza - Heisments Heys

- I grew up a mile from the Miami campus

- Father is fellow high school Miami coach Mario Cristobal at Christopher Columbus High School

- Mom plays tennis in Miami.

- Won state title at Columbus HS in 2019

- Miami does not offer me a scholarship

QBs to win Heisman and National Championship in one season (BCS / CFP season)

| Year | Schools | Quarterly |

|2025 |Indiana |Fernando Mendoza |

|2019 |LSU |Joe Burrow |

|2013 |FSU |James Winston |

|2010 |Brunette |Cam Newton |

|2004 |University of Southern California |Matt Leinart |

Best differential in one season (AP Poll era)

|Year |Team |Point Difference |

|2013 |Florida St. |+553 |

|2487 |Randolph Field |+489 |

|2025 |Indiana |+479 |

|1944 |Army |+469 |

|2018 |Clemson |+467 |

Bowl wins in Indiana history

Indiana Curt Cignetti and all the other coaches

|Trainer |Golib% |Bowl burd |Nat'l unwonho |

|Curt Cignetti .931 |3 1|

|All others |.414 |3 |0 |

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