Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza reacts to national championship win
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Fernando Mendoza made the shot in front of friends and family in the biggest moment of his college career as he helped lead the Indiana Hoosiers to the national championship.
Mendoza struck out in the 4th and 5th and ran up the guts. He bounced over several Miami Hurricanes defenders, leapt from the 2-yard line and stretched out his hands to throw the ball over the goal line, getting mauled as he fell into the end zone.
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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers dives for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 19, 2026. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
With 6:32 left in the game, Indiana took a 24-14 lead and the Hoosiers won the game 27-21.
“It’s something about our team,” Mendoza told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. “We will risk everything. I want to give all the credit to God. My offensive players blocked perfectly and we were able to move as a team towards a common goal. Let the Indiana Hoosier synergy score and give our team a chance to win the game.”
INDIANA’S CURT CIGNETTI COMPLAINS ABOUT NO CALL TO MIAMI DURING THE FIRST TIME OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)
“I had to go to the air. I would die for my team. Let them do whatever they want to me. They want me to shoot from the front or the back, whatever it is, I’m going to die for my team out there and I know they’re going to do the same for me. That’s what makes us so close. That’s what makes the national championship so special.”
Mendoza, who was covered in blood in the first quarter after a major blow to his face, played with a score of 16/27 with 186 passing and attacking scores.
“She’s very tough,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti told ESPN’s Molly McGrath. “He got hit. He didn’t have time. He keeps getting back up. He’s a great competitor and there’s no way this could have been accomplished without that type of performance at that position. I can’t say enough great things about him.”
Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 19, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Indiana became the first team in college football history to finish 16-0 since Yale’s feat in 1894.
