The #1 Indiana Hoosiers capped off an undefeated season and won the first football national championship in school history on Monday night, hanging on to defeat #10 Miami (Florida) 27-21 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.
The Hoosiers (16-0), who crushed both #9 Alabama 38-3 and #5 Oregon 56-22 in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the CFP, were much more challenged by the Hurricanes who were playing on their home field. The difference in the game was a 12-yard touchdown run by Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza on a 4th and 4 in the fourth quarter. Mendoza also named the offensive MVP in leading his team to the victory. Jamari Sharpe clinched the championship with an interception of Miami quarterback Carson Beck in the final minute of play. Miami ended their magical run to the title contest with a record of 13-3. Indiana becomes the major collegiate football team since Yale in 1894 to go 16-0 in a season. Curt Cignetti is now 27-2, leading Indiana to the promise land in just his second season as head coach. The Hoosiers only had four winning seasons since 1993 before Cignetti.
Image courtesy of Indiana University Athletics
