Indiana Makes Program History, Ending Miami’s Improbable Run
The 2026 National Championship game took place in the home of the Miami Hurricanes, Hard Rock Stadium, in a matchup between two unlikely candidates, two teams who had 100-1 odds at some point in their respective seasons and in an all-time National Title game, the Hurricanes fell short, and the Hoosiers secured their first ever National Championship.
The Canes run was improbable, and unforgettable, but they ran into the best team in the country, at the wrong time.
First Half
The game began just as many expected, with both defenses trading blows early and showcasing elite talent on each side of the ball. Indiana struck first, cashing in with a field goal to take a 3–0 lead, a score that held through the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter followed a similar script, as the Canes struggled to generate offense both on the ground and through the air. Indiana capitalized after another Miami three-and-out, as Fernando Mendoza led a calm, methodical drive that was aided by a costly offsides penalty from Rueben Bain Jr. The Hoosiers’ touchdown drive spanned 14 plays, the same number of total plays Miami had run to that point in the game.
Miami’s next possession again stalled, but a bold decision to go for it on fourth-and-one in their own territory kept the drive alive and resulted in the Hurricanes’ second first down of the game. A big completion to CJ Daniels put Miami in position to grab points before halftime, but Carter Davis doinked the field goal off the upright. Indiana had a chance to double-dip before the break, though they failed to capitalize.
Indiana led 10–0 at halftime, outgaining Miami 169 yards to 69.
Second Half
The second half was a different story.
The Canes defense did its job yet again out of the half to give Carson Beck and the offense a chance to get the game within reach and they did just that as Mark Fletcher Jr. went for 57 yards, bringing the Canes right back into the game. Fletcher has been Miami’s most important player of these playoffs, and he came up big yet again. While Rueben Bain, Ahkeem Mesidor, and the rest of the defense did their best to keep the Canes in the game, the special teams took the biggest hit, as they gave up a blocked punt for a touchdown. The Hurricanes responded with an 81-yard touchdown drive that was finished off by Mark Fletcher Jr. yet again.
But Indiana delivered the decisive moment on a gutsy drive that featured a fourth-and-five conversion deep in Miami territory. The Hoosiers finished the drive with Mendoza powering his way into the end zone on another fourth-down play, sealing his defining Heisman and championship moment.
Miami answered immediately, fueled by Malachi Toney, cutting the deficit to 24–21 with 6:37 remaining.
From there, Indiana closed the door. The Hoosiers controlled the final minutes, leaning on the run game and executing their signature money play, a back-shoulder fade to Becker, to move into Miami territory. After that, it was all on the ground, leading to a field goal to give the Hoosiers a 27-21 lead with a minute and 42 seconds left.
Carson Beck had one last chance to end his college career on a high note, as a Champion, and the Hoosiers defense slammed the door with an interception.
Miami gave Indiana everything it had, but it was not enough.
The Hurricanes went from the outside looking in alongside Notre Dame to navigating a ferocious playoff gauntlet, knocking off Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss along the way. Yet in the end, the nation’s best team stood tallest.
This is not a season for Miami to hang its head, but one to remember, and one to build upon. A culture-setting year in which Mario Cristobal gave everyone a reason to believe.
That the U is back.
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