For the first time ever, the Indiana Hoosiers are on top of the college football world, defeating Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
After just two seasons, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti turned a team that finished last in the Big 10 into the champions of college football.
Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza was named the offensive MVP, finishing with 186 passing yards and a key rushing touchdown.
The game was a defensive battle for much of the first half. The Hoosiers took an early 3-0 lead before extending it to 10-0 midway through the second quarter.
A missed 50-yard field goal near the end of the first half left Miami scoreless heading into halftime.
Miami’s offense opened up in the second half, getting in its first score of the game on a 57-yard touchdown run.
Both teams traded punts over the next four possessions, but Indiana’s special teams unit broke through for the Hoosiers, blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown to go up 17-7.
The Hurricanes answered with a sustained drive that featured two explosive passing plays before being finished off by a three-yard rushing score on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Leading by three, Indiana needed a response, and Mendoza gave it to them.
The Miami-native led the Hoosiers on a 12-play 75-yard touchdown drive that featured a fourth-and-five conversion to Charlie Becker, and a fourth-and-four quarterback draw that saw Mendoza will himself to the endzone from 12-yards out.
Miami did not go away, however, as Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck led them down the field and connected with Malachi Toney, who made several moves after the catch en route to a 22-yard score.
Indiana, leading 24-21, was just a few minutes away from securing a National Championship, but needed another sustained drive.
The Hoosiers again got key conversions from their quarterback, finding Omar Cooper Jr and Becker on a pair of third downs to keep the drive alive and bleed precious time off the clock.
The Miami defensive line, which wreaked havoc throughout the night, finally got a stop, forcing Indiana to kick a field goal to push the lead to 27-21.
A potential game-winning drive by Miami was thwarted as defensive back Jamari Sharpe intercepted a deep pass from Beck.
With a pair of kneel-downs, Indiana completed one of the best seasons in college football history, finishing 16-0.
“It can be done,” Cignetti said in a post-game interview on ESPN.
The Hoosiers came into the season with the most losses in college football history, but ended the season hoisting the National Championship Trophy.