NCAAF · 1 hour ago

Indiana vs. Miami: How Cignetti’s Hoosiers Won the National Title

John Canady

Host · Writer

Before and After: The Greatest Turnaround in Football History
A program built on losing 715 times, the arrival of Curt Cignetti has completely altered the outlook not only for the Hoosiers but for all of college football. In just two years, Cignetti transformed a program that had only three winning seasons since 1995 into the first team since 1894 to finish 16-0 at the highest level of college football. Cignetti’s claim that IU’s championship win is the “start of a new world” in college football, and it’s hard to argue that claim. Is this the greatest Cinderealla story ever? Let us know in the comments!
Indiana Completes the Miracle: Hoosiers Win First National Title
Arguably the greatest Cinderella story in the history of college football, the losingest program in the sport wins the national championship, completing an undefeated 16-0 season. Relive the Indiana vs. Miami thriller. From Fernando Mendoza’s iconic 4th-down TD to Curt Cignetti’s "Google Me" promise, see how the Hoosiers became national champions with a 27-21 victory over the Hurricanes.

From the "losingest program" to the top of the mountain. Indiana's 2025-26 season is officially the most remarkable turnaround in sports history. Curt Cigetti arrived in Bloomington on a mission to not only back up his viral “Google me, I win” quote but to build a team that the Hoosier faithful could rally behind. It’s safe to say that this Indiana squad not only exceeded expectations but delivered a historic season to remember.
The Statement: Hoosiers Strike First and Never Look Back
Indiana showed up ready to play, understanding the stakes and prepared to write their name in the history books. Forcing an explosive Miami offense to begin the matchup with four straight stalled drives that resulted in a punt, the Hoosiers set the tone early. Heading into halftime with a 10-0 lead, Cignetti’s squad never forfeited the lead, even with the Hurricanes’ late run in the second half.
Bending but Never Breaking: Sharpe’s Interception Seals the Win
The Hoosiers’ first-half dominance was quickly tested in the second half, as Miami's reignited fire came out of the break. The defensive line was forcing the issue, and the momentum from Mario Cristobal’s defense quickly swung to the offensive side of the field with a rally from Carson Beck and the U’s explosive offense. After totaling just 69 total yards in the first half, Miami combined for 273 total yards in the second half. It looked prepared to end Indiana's perfect season with a potential game-winning drive in the final moments. However, the ideal ending to an unforgettable season came when Miami native Jamari Sharpe picked off Beck to put an end to Miami’s season and complete the Cinderella run for IU.
Fourth-and-Forever: Mendoza’s Iconic TD Run Defies the Odds
Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman season projected him to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but his late-game heroics in the National Championship game may be what’s remembered most. With the national title hanging in the balance, Mendoza’s number was called upon, and the star quarterback delivered arguably the most iconic moment in CFB history. On 4th-and-Goal, the quarterback wouldn’t be denied on a 12-yard touchdown run that ultimately sealed the game and took the wind out of the sails in Miami’s late run. Capping the Hoosier’s undefeated season as Big Ten Champs, Indiana’s national championship win capped off a season filled with defying the odds.
The "U" Falls Short
A respectful nod to Miami’s incredible 10-seed run that fell just one game short. The Hurricanes quickly silenced the noise behind their surprising playoff bid by upsetting the Texas A&M Aggies in the first round. Despite that, Mario Cristobal’s team was never given a chance against Ohio State, with many figuring their luck would run out against a Buckeyes team that was on a mission to win back-to-back championships. Still, Miami defied the odds, knocking off the Buckeyes in a relatively dominant fashion, never trailing. The Hurricanes' run continued in the semifinals, beating an Ole Miss team driven by a separate yet similar chip on its shoulder. Despite the loss to Indiana in the national championship, Miami’s electric run can’t be overshadowed by a narrow loss against a team that absolutely dominated throughout both the entire college football season and the playoffs.
"Google Me": The Bold Promise That Delivered a Title
Following the hire of Curt Cignetti from James Madison to take over the losingest program in FBS history, he told skeptics to "Google me" to see his winning track record. Cignetti’s famous words have now transformed from a viral quote to an undefeated regular season and a national title. Cignetti hasn’t just put IU on the map as one of the premier faces of modern college football, but he’s proven to be one of, if not the best, head coaches in the entire nation.
Built on the Valley: The JMU Transfers Who Saved IU
Curt Cignetti’s championship roster wasn’t built on traditional recruiting alone; it was built on loyalty. Cignetti brought a core of James Madison transfers who already knew his system, bypassing the usual "Year 1" growing pains to dominate No. 11 Alabama and No. 5 Oregon in the playoffs. Proving the importance of the transfer portal era, the JMU transfers who followed Cignetti served as a key to the newfound success in Bloomington.

Key JMU Transfers to Indiana
- Aiden Fisher (LB): Defensive leader and top tackler had a sack in the national championship game.
- Elijah Sarratt (WR): When healthy, the top target for Fernando Mendoza (15 TDs in 2025).
- Kaelon Black (RB): The 1,000-yard rusher led IU with 79 yards against Miami.
- D'Angelo Ponds (CB): The All-American was all over the field in Miami (5 tackles, 3 PDs).
- Mikail Kamara (EGDE): Edge rusher with four tackles and the critical blocked punt on Monday night.
- Tyrique Tucker (DT): Interior defensive presence had six sacks in 2025.
From "Cinderella" to the New Standard of the Big Ten
The doubt surrounding Indiana and Curt Cignetti’s roster stemmed from critics' argument that the Hoosiers’ “under-recruited” transfers couldn’t step up against the big boys in the Big Ten. After dethroning the blue bloods, Indiana didn't just win a title; it provided a blueprint for rebuilding a program in the transfer portal era, even without premier prospects.

Other Key Transfers (Starters Not from JMU)
- C Pat Coogan
- S Devan Boykin
- OT Kahlil Benson
- S Louis Moore
- RB Roman Hemby
- QB Fernando Mendoza
- TE Riley Nowakowski
Way-Too-Early 2027 Odds
It's never too early to look at the upcoming season.

Who are the favorites for next year?
- Ohio State +650
- Notre Dame +650
- Indiana +700
- Texas +750
- Oregon +950
- Georgia +1100
- LSU +1400
- Texas A&M +1500
- Texas Tech +1600
- Miami +1900
- Alabama +2200
Our top five contenders for the 2026 season feature four teams among the top five favorites and one surprise sleeper. Do you agree with our list?
Before and After: The Greatest Turnaround in Football History
A program built on losing 715 times, the arrival of Curt Cignetti has completely altered the outlook not only for the Hoosiers but for all of college football. In just two years, Cignetti transformed a program that had only three winning seasons since 1995 into the first team since 1894 to finish 16-0 at the highest level of college football. Cignetti’s claim that IU’s championship win is the “start of a new world” in college football, and it’s hard to argue that claim. Is this the greatest Cinderealla story ever? Let us know in the comments!
Indiana Completes the Miracle: Hoosiers Win First National Title
Arguably the greatest Cinderella story in the history of college football, the losingest program in the sport wins the national championship, completing an undefeated 16-0 season. Relive the Indiana vs. Miami thriller. From Fernando Mendoza’s iconic 4th-down TD to Curt Cignetti’s "Google Me" promise, see how the Hoosiers became national champions with a 27-21 victory over the Hurricanes.

From the "losingest program" to the top of the mountain. Indiana's 2025-26 season is officially the most remarkable turnaround in sports history. Curt Cigetti arrived in Bloomington on a mission to not only back up his viral “Google me, I win” quote but to build a team that the Hoosier faithful could rally behind. It’s safe to say that this Indiana squad not only exceeded expectations but delivered a historic season to remember.