Indiana Completes Undefeated Season and Wins First National Title, Beating Miami 27-21 in CFP Final

Indiana Completes Undefeated Season and Wins First National Title, Beating Miami 27-21 in CFP Final
Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara blocks a punt by Miami punter Dylan Joyce during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title.

The Heisman Trophy winner finished with 186 yards passing, but it was his tackle-breaking, sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 left that defined this game—and the Hoosiers’ season.