Hundreds of Hoosier faithful packed into the Miami Beach Convention Center for a pep rally that featured the Marching Hundred band, cheerleaders and IU Red Steppers.

MIAMI — A wave of cream and crimson crashed Miami Beach this weekend as IU football fans arrived to cheer on the Hoosiers in their first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship appearance.

“It’s an exciting time to be an IU fan!” said Greg Horchner, a Bloomington native and long-time season ticket holder. “We’ve seen excitement grow from tailgating to the football games. Years ago, the stadium would be a quarter full at halftime and now you can’t get a seat in that place.”

He said there’s no way he’d miss seeing the playoff in person.

“We were at the Peach Bowl,” he said. “Now we’re here (in Miami.) It’s a chance of a lifetime.”

“If you told me that three years ago that we’d be here, I would never have believed,” said Erica Kovacs, also of Bloomington.

The Indiana Hoosiers football team is undefeated heading into the title game. Just two years ago, the program held the title for the nation’s losingest major college football team.


If they beat the Miami Hurricanes Monday night, the Hoosiers will become the first 16-0 college football team in modern history.

“We’re very hopeful for a win, however we’re on their home field,” said ” said Ann Duwell of Fishers.”

Hundreds of Hoosier faithful packed into the Miami Beach Convention Center Sunday afternoon for a pep rally that featured IU’s Marching Hundred band, cheerleaders and famous IU Red Steppers.

“(The season has been) incredible! It’s magical” said Duwell. “And I think they’ve worked really hard to be able to get here.”

So have fans — willing to pay some of the most expensive ticket prices in playoff history. 

“I think Indiana fans were hungry for this!” said Terri Casey of Westfield. “We’ve waited a really long time for another championship-bound team. Never thought it would be football! But here we are … And we’re celebrating.”