The No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers are set to compete in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship after a commanding 56-22 victory over the No. 5 Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Star quarterback Fernando Mendoza showcased his talent with an impressive performance, completing 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns, further solidifying his status as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
Indiana”s defense set the tone early, scoring on the first play from scrimmage. From that moment forward, the Hoosiers demonstrated their dominance, executing seven touchdowns on ten offensive drives, excluding their final possession where they went into victory formation. With this win, the Hoosiers will enter the national championship game against the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes with an unblemished record of 15-0 for the season.
Following the win, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti expressed his satisfaction with the team”s achievement, humorously stating, “I”m really not thinking about the next game. I”m thinking about cracking open a beer,” during an interview with ESPN”s Molly McGrath. Meanwhile, Miami earned their championship spot by narrowly defeating Ole Miss 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl, making the upcoming matchup even more significant for Mendoza, who grew up just a short distance from Hard Rock Stadium.
“Playing any national championship is fantastic. But it means a little bit more to me,” Mendoza reflected after the game. “I used to be able to walk to the University of Miami. I used to play rec basketball games there or beach volleyball in the sand and courts. And to live under a mile away, it means a lot to myself. However, I”m really excited for the city of Miami to get the opportunity as well and can”t wait to play in Hard Rock Stadium.”
Since Cignetti took over in 2024, the Hoosiers have undergone a significant transformation. The team recorded an 11-2 record in 2024, a remarkable turnaround considering they had only nine wins combined in the previous three seasons from 2021 to 2023. Cignetti acknowledged the skepticism surrounding the program after last season, stating, “There was a lot of skepticism after last year, that we were a fluke. That team did a lot of great things and got it all started.”
As accolades pour in for Cignetti, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy commended the coach”s rapid success in transforming Indiana into a national power. “What Curt Cignetti has done at Indiana is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most impressive things I”ve seen in the history of sports,” Portnoy tweeted. “Indiana was one of the worst football programs in the history of college football.” He noted the unlikely speed of the transformation, emphasizing the significance of the program”s achievements.
Mendoza himself has played a crucial role in this success. After spending his first two collegiate seasons at California, he transferred to Indiana in 2025, where he has thrived. Entering the Peach Bowl, Mendoza had completed 72.3 percent of his passes for 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions over the season. He attributes the Hoosiers” success to the team”s unity, referring to them as a “bunch of misfits.” “We”re just guys, glued together, trying to reach a common goal – to win each and every single game,” he shared in an emotional interview.
The Heisman Trophy winner further emphasized the strong culture within the program, stating, “It”s a collaborative effort and with a strong culture, you can accomplish anything.” With their sights set on the national championship, Mendoza and the Hoosiers will face Miami on January 19, with the opportunity to secure their place as national champions.
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