Indiana is the College Football Playoff national champion for the first time in programme history after a 27–21 victory over Miami in the National Championship Game.

The top-seeded Hoosiers capped a perfect 16–0 season by holding off the 10th-seeded Hurricanes in a tightly contested game on Miami’s home turf at Hard Rock Stadium. UI quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered the defining performance of the night, earning Offensive MVP honours after completing 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards and adding a rushing touchdown that proved key to keeping the Hurricanes at bay. Playing in his hometown against a Miami programme that never recruited him, Mendoza consistently answered Hurricanes scoring drives with poised, timely offense — and is now likely to be selected first overall in the upcoming NFL Draft.

With Miami largely containing an Indiana offense that had been prolific throughout the knockout stages, it was the Hoosiers’ defense that provided the decisive momentum swing that led to a first-ever national title. Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara was subsequently named Defensive MVP after blocking a punt that helped preserve the Hoosiers’ second-half lead as Miami attempted to rally late.

A full report covering the National Championship Game will appear in this week’s College Crammer.