The Indiana Hoosiers are the college football national champions for the first time ever. Top-seeded Indiana defeated No. 10 Miami (Fla.) in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship Game 27-21 to secure the win.
THE INDIANA HOOSIERS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPS 🔥
ONE OF THE GREATEST TURNAROUND STORIES IN SPORTS HISTORY IS COMPLETE‼️ pic.twitter.com/Z0LbYUPBmh
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
“A lot of guts. That’s what it took to win a national title,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said.
It took a lot of guts for Cignetti to boldly believe he would turn around an Indiana program that finished 2-10, 4-8 and 3-9 into a national championship winner back when he took the job two years ago.
Now Cignetti’s name is etched in history after leading Indiana to a 16-0 season — joining 1894 Yale and 2019 North Dakota State as the other 16-0 Division I football champions. Moreover, Indiana is the first new team to win their first National Championship since the 1996 Florida Gators.
“We won the national championship at Indiana University, it can be done.”
Indiana Football head coach Curt Cignetti with @MollyAMcGrath after beating Miami 👏 pic.twitter.com/516Ccpe6RF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 20, 2026
Then there’s the story of the winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza won the national championship in his hometown, Miami, against Miami, after not being recruited by the Hurricanes. It’s a redemption effort after losing to Miami last year while playing for Cal.
Mendoza earned Offensive MVP honors after completing 16 of 27 passes (59 percent) for 186 yards, rushing for a touchdown. The Hoosier signal caller had some all-time moments in the game in front of Indiana fans that overwhelmed Miami fans in their home stadium.
“I would die for my team,” Mendoza said.
What a year its been for Mendoza, leaving it all out on the field. He becomes the eighth Heisman winner to win a CFP or BCS national championship.
Oh, and he got Lil Uzi Vert to come out and support, too.
MR. HEISMAN IS A CFP NATIONAL CHAMP😤#CFBPlayoff #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/F4FVncOEg2
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 20, 2026
Heisman winners to win a national championship
Year
Heisman Winner
National Champion
2025
QB Fernando Mendoza
Indiana
2020
WR DeVonta Smith
Alabama
2019
QB Joe Burrow
LSU
2015
RB Derrick Henry
Alabama
2013
QB Jameis Winston
Florida State
2010
QB Cam Newton
Auburn
2009
RB Mark Ingram
Alabama
2004
QB Matt Leinart
Southern California
Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara earned Defensive MVP honors thanks to his blocked punt. Indiana’s win gives the Big Ten its third straight CFP championship.
With it all said and done, Indiana has the most recent men’s football undefeated champion and the most recent men’s basketball undefeated champion (1975-76).
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