The Indiana Hoosiers (16-0) defeated the Miami Hurricanes (13-3) 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night inside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The win marks the first ever National Championship for the Hoosiers, led by Curt Cignetti in his second season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The teams began the game with three straight punts. Then, the Indiana offense was able to put together a drive that got them a field goal. That made it 3-0 Hoosiers in the early stages.
With the Indiana defense keeping control, their offense would find another big drive in the second quarter. This time they went 14 plays and 85 yards, capped by a one-yard touchdown by Riley Nowakowski.
Late in the first half, Miami had a chance at a field goal. However, it missed off the upright, meaning Indiana carried a 10-0 lead into the half.
Carson Beck and the Hurricane offense would finally get things going in the third quarter, but it was mostly due to the running game. Mark Fletcher Jr ran in from 57 yards out putting Miami on the board and cutting the lead to 10-7.
While Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana offense struggled in the third quarter, their special teams picked them up. Mikail Kamara blocked a punt, and Isaiah Jones recovered it for a touchdown to extend the Hoosier lead to 17-7
The Miami offense again responded, this time with a mix of Beck and the running game. Fletcher scored again, this time cutting the lead back to three at 17-14.
At that point, the Heisman Trophy winner made his mark. He led the Hoosiers on a 12 play, 75 yard drive. It was capped with an incredible fourth and five draw play in which Mendoza made three tacklers miss on his way to scoring a touchdown to make the lead 24-14 for Indiana.
Miami again cut into the lead. They drove 91 yards, with Beck finding Malachi Toney on a touchdown to cut the lead to 24-21
Indiana had a chance to put the game away driving late. However, a false start pushed them back. They settled for a field goal, giving Miami one more chance facing a 27-21 deficit.
The Hurricanes worked into field goal range. However, Beck threw an interception to Jamari Sharpe, sealing the game and the title.
BIG NUMBER: 1
This marks the first National Championship in Indiana program history. It is one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Fernando Mendoza
Mendoza was the Heisman Trophy winner for a reason. He threw for 186 yards, but also ran in a critical touchdown on the ground.