Miami

 

Indiana completed one of the most stunning yet resounding championship runs in college football history.  

Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title.

The Heisman Trophy winner finished with 186 yards passing, but it was his tackle-breaking, sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 left that defined this game — and the Hoosiers' season.

Indiana would not be denied.

Mendoza's TD gave turnaround artist Curt Cignetti’s team a 10-point lead — barely enough breathing room to hold off a frenzied charge by the hard-hitting Hurricanes, who bloodied Mendoza’s lip early, then came to life late behind 112 yards and two scores from Mark Fletcher but never took the lead.

The key play to the game: While the Hoosiers continued their offensive struggles, their special teams unit delivered a touchdown. Sixth-year senior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara blocked a punt that redshirt junior linebacker Isaiah Jones recovered in the endzone to put the Cream and Crimson up 17-7.

What started as a Cinderella story in 2024 morphed into the Big Bad Wolf in 2025 finishing for the first time 16-0 in the modern era.

Sources:

The Helmet Project: http://nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/index.htm

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1145292-power-ranking-all-124-college-football-stadiums

espn game recap 

Oregon

 

The 2025 College Football Semifinals would be played at the Orange Bowl at Mercedes- Benoz Stadium in Atlanta, GA The winner would advance to the championship game. The Hoosiers had defeated Oregon on the road in week seven on October 11 in Eugene. Winning twice against a top team would be definitely a challenge. 

Indiana's already impressive march through the College Football Playoff gained momentum as its dominant defense created three first-half touchdowns with turnovers, Fernando Mendoza threw five scoring passes, and the Hoosiers overwhelmed No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal.

Oregon was doomed by the three first-half turnovers while also being short-handed by the absence of two of their top running backs. The Hoosiers led 35-7 at halftime as the Ducks were held to nine rushing yards on 17 carries.

On Oregon's first snap, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds intercepted Moore's pass intended for Malik Benson and returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. Only 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers and their defense already had made a statement this would be a long night for Moore and the Oregon offense.

The game was a sellout, and the red-clad Indiana fans were almost as dominant as the Hoosiers on the field. Indiana appeared to claim at least 80% of the 75,604 fans. 

Sources:

The Helmet Project: http://nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/index.htm

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1145292-power-ranking-all-124-college-football-stadiums

espn game recap 

Alabama

 

The quarterfinals for the 2025 College Football Playoffs at the Rose Bowl would pit #9 Alabama v #1 Indiana for a 4 pm eastern time kickoff on New Year's Day. It had been fifty-eight years since the Hoosiers has played on New Year's Day in the Granddaddy of them all. 

After an initial three-and-out, the Hoosiers scored on six of their next seven possessions, and they didn't allow the Crimson Tide to score until late in the third quarter.

Fernando Mendoza was sacked on two of IU's first three plays, but the Hoosiers established their efficiency game - lots of power running, lots of quick passing - in a nearly nine-minute field goal drive. The Hoosiers' defense then stuffed a fourth-and-1 attempt, Mendoza completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker, and IU was off and running. Mendoza hit Omar Cooper Jr. for another score right before halftime, then found Elijah Sarratt at the end of another long drive in the third quarter. And after Bama's lone field goal, Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby broke into the open for touchdown runs. Black and Hemby combined for 188 rushing yards.

Final scored Indiana 38 - Alabama 3

Sources:

The Helmet Project: http://nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/index.htm

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1145292-power-ranking-all-124-college-football-stadiums

espn game recap