Miami vs Indiana Live Match Reports: Hoosiers Crowned 2026 National Champions After Thrilling 27-21 Battle
MIAMI GARDENS, FL — January 20, 2026 The transformation of Indiana football is complete. In a stadium filled with orange and green, the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (16-0) held off a furious late rally from the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (13-4) to win the 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship.
According to live match reports from the final minutes, the Hoosiers used a legendary performance from Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and a game-sealing interception from Jamari Sharpe to secure the first national title in program history.
The Game-Defining Highlights
- The 4th-Down Gamble: Leading 17-14 in the fourth quarter, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti went for it on 4th-and-4 from the Miami 12-yard line. Fernando Mendoza took a QB draw, bounced off two hits, and dove into the end zone for what would become the winning touchdown.
- Miami’s “Toney” Response: Miami freshman Malachi Toney nearly flipped the script, racking up 71 yards on a single drive and scoring a 22-yard touchdown to pull the Canes within three points (24-21).
- The Final Dagger: With 44 seconds remaining and Miami driving, Jamari Sharpe (a Miami native) intercepted Carson Beck’s pass intended for Keelan Marion. The interception allowed Indiana to take a knee and finish a perfect 16-0 season.
Post-Game Analysis & Stats
| Category | Indiana Hoosiers | Miami Hurricanes |
| Final Score | 27 | 21 |
| Total Yards | 325 | 344 |
| Pass Yards | 186 (Mendoza) | 232 (Beck) |
| Rush Yards | 139 (Hemby/Black) | 112 (Fletcher Jr.) |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 (Interception) |
A Historic “100-to-1” Longshot
Indiana’s victory marks one of the greatest underdog stories in sports history. The Hoosiers opened the 2025 season with 100-1 odds to win the championship—the longest odds for any champion in over 25 years. Just two seasons ago, the program was 3-9. Today, they are the undisputed kings of college football.
Next Step: Would you like me to draft a victory parade schedule or a player-by-player scouting report for the Indiana starters entering the 2026 NFL Draft?
