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IU wins National Championship, finishes season 16-0

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 12:05 AM

Courtesy-Indiana University

MIAMI - The Indiana Hoosiers completed their dream season on Monday night. The College Football National Championship trophy is coming to Bloomington. 

IU's perfect season ended at Hard Rock Stadium with a 27-21 conquest of the Miami Hurricanes. The Hoosiers are the first team in the modern era to complete an undefeated Cinderella season with 16 victories.   

Indiana led at halftime 10-0 and never trailed in the hard-fought win.

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza Mendoza threw for 186 yards, completing 16 of 27 pass attempts. But the play of the game was his 4th down, 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He somehow twisted and turned through the Miami defense and then leaped into the end zone. 

As the team celebrated its first-ever National Championship in football, Coach Curt Cignetti said, "It's probably one of the greatest stories of all time. It took a lot of guts. We won the National Championship at Indiana University. It can be done."

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