Indiana picked up another easy first down to get the drive started with a 12-yard pass to Elijah Sarratt.
A few plays later, the Hurricanes looked to have Indiana stopped, but OJ Frederique Jr. was flagged for interference and the Hoosiers got a fresh set of downs.
The Canes’ defensive front is really stepping up and quickly forced the Hoosiers into a third-and-13. An offsides penalty against Miami gave Indiana five yards and then the Hoosiers caught Miami off-guard with a designed run play, and Kaelon Black ran between the tackles for a 20-yard pick-up.
Two plays later, the Hoosiers appeared to have the game’s first touchdown, but replay showed that wide receiver Charlier Becker barely stepped out of bounds at the six-yard line before diving to the pylon.
Miami forced Indiana into a third-and-goal at the one-yard line, and in an old-fashioned I-formation, Mendoza handed off to tight end/fullback Riley Nowakowski, who pounded it in for the game’s first touchdown to cap the 14-play drive.
HOOSIERS FIND THE ENDZONE 1ST ‼️
📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/mHKxKYSShi
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 20, 2026
Score: Hoosiers 10, Hurricanes 0