As Indiana celebrated winning a national championship at Hard Rock Stadium, an incident unfolded on the field.
ESPN cameras caught Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. throwing a punch at Indiana defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker postgame. Fletcher can be seen taking a swipe at Tucker as and appearing to try and grab him while yelling at him before a Miami staff member intervened. The staff member prevented the incident from escalating further as he guided Fletcher away from the field.
“I was just trying to congratulate him on the game,” Tucker told The Herald-Times. “He tried to sneak me, everybody kind of held me back. That was a cheap punch, luckily we got the win, I’m not really too worried about it. He’s salty, he going home with the L.
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“I was trying to be a good sport, some people are low, man. I didn’t say nothing to him after the game. He got the L, he got to hold that.”
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) embraces his family on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) embraces his family on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) lifts the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the trophy as the team celebrates winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) is interviewed by ESPN personality Rece Davis after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Lincoln Murff (45) celebrates on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti celebrates on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
A national champions flag is is seen after the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Devan Boykin (12), wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) and linebacker PJ Nelson (30) celebrate after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
The Indiana Hoosiers reacts against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Ryland Gandy (10) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with wide receiver Charlie Becker (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half of the CFP National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) celebrates with defensive back Louis Moore (7) after making an interception against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) reacts after getting an interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
It is unknown what started the scuffle. During the postgame aftermath, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe posted a picture of Fletcher embracing with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, adding he “waited a long time” to meet with the Heisman Trophy winner.
Fletcher had a big game in his hometown for the Hurricanes, as they fell just short of winning their first national championship since 2001. He had 17 carriers for a game-high 112 yards and two touchdowns in the losing effort, including a 57-yard touchdown run that got Miami on the board.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Fletcher Jr. hits Indiana player after national championship loss