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For the primary time in program historical past, the Indiana Hoosiers are faculty soccer nationwide champions.
The Hoosiers took down the Miami Hurricanes, 27-21, in an absolute thriller to finish their undefeated season underneath head coach Curt Cignetti.
The Hoosiers’ protection was making issues arduous for Carson Beck and firm from the very begin of this recreation. Actually, the Hurricanes’ offense didn’t have a primary down till their ultimate drive of the primary half.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes in opposition to Miami throughout the first half of the School Soccer Playoff nationwide championship recreation, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photograph/Rebecca Blackwell)
In the meantime, Miami was doing properly to comprise the explosiveness of Indiana’s offense, holding them to only a subject aim within the first quarter.
Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner this season, led a methodical, 14-play drive that went 85 yards the place a third-and-goal play from the one-yard line resulted in Riley Nowakowski scoring the primary landing of the sport.
Nowakowski had just one different rush try all season, however the play name was excellent for the Hoosiers as they took a 10-0 lead.
TRUMP ARRIVES AT INDIANA-MIAMI COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Miami was on the hunt to at the least put a subject aim up earlier than half, they usually had the chance after they discovered themselves on the Indiana 32-yard line on fourth-and-2. Carter Davis had an opportunity at a 50-yard subject aim try, but it surely hit the upright and ended up no good.
Regardless of the pseudo-home-field benefit — Miami performs their dwelling video games at Arduous Rock Stadium — they have been left scoreless at halftime.
However the second half offered extra fireworks from each groups, and it got here from the legs of Mark Fletcher Jr.
The Miami operating again discovered a crease, and he took it 57 yards to the home to brighten up not solely the Hurricanes’ sideline, however all their followers within the stands.
Mark Fletcher Jr. of the Miami Hurricanes runs for a 3rd quarter landing in opposition to the Indiana Hoosiers within the 2026 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Arduous Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)
The ten-7 ball recreation made issues extra attention-grabbing for Indiana, who hadn’t felt this form of momentum within the recreation. Nevertheless it wasn’t the offense getting the job finished — it was particular groups.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Hoosiers received by means of the road of scrimmage on a punt try from the Hurricanes, and it was blocked proper close to the aim line. Linebacker Isaiah Jones made certain to corral the free ball, and his efforts made it 17-7 with 5:04 left within the third quarter.
However Miami had the appropriate response, as this back-and-forth on the scoreboard made the sport way more suspenseful.
Fletcher discovered the tip zone as soon as extra, capping off a 10-play, 81-yard drive on the very begin of the fourth quarter.
A key second on this recreation, although, got here on the following drive as head coach Curt Cignetti determined to go for it twice on fourth down, together with fourth-and-5 from Miami’s 12-yard line. The play name? Depart it within the fingers of the Heisman winner.
Mendoza had a delayed draw and never solely took it throughout the road to realize, however he fought off a number of tackles and launched himself throughout the aim line for a hard-fought, 12-yard landing run for one more 10-point lead, 24-14.
However, sure, you guessed it: Miami answered. This was the Malachi Toney drive, because the 18-year-old true freshman had a 41-yard catch-and-run, and completed off a fast drive for the Hurricanes with a 22-yard run into the tip zone.
Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers dives for a fourth quarter landing in opposition to the Miami Hurricanes within the 2026 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Arduous Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs)
The Hurricanes maintained their tight chase of the Hoosiers, however Mendoza and Indiana’s offense knew they’d the chance to seal their nationwide title with one other methodical drive, selecting up first downs and even scoring a landing for the knockout punch.
Charlie Becker, who was Mendoza’s trusty goal all night time lengthy, had a vital back-shoulder catch on third-and-7 to maintain the drive alive. However the Hoosiers dedicated a vital false begin on second-and-1 within the purple zone, which moved them again and in the end led to a essential Hurricanes cease.
After the Hoosiers secured their three factors, Beck and Miami had the chance to go downfield and win the sport. A roughing the passer penalty helped Miami, who would’ve been going through third-and-15 from their very own 20-yard line had the flag not been thrown.
Beck moved the ball throughout midfield, however he dedicated a brutal blunder, underthrowing a cross that Jamari Sharpe learn completely. Sharpe secured the interception, and with 44 seconds left and no Miami timeouts, he secured the nationwide title.
Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a fourth quarter landing in opposition to the Miami Hurricanes within the 2026 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Arduous Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)
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Within the field rating, Mendoza was 16-of-27 for 186 yards and his dashing rating, with Omar Cooper Jr. main the Hoosiers with 71 yards on 5 catches. Becker had 4 grabs for 65 yards, whereas Kaelon Black set the tone on the bottom with 79 yards on 17 carries. Roman Hemby additionally had 19 carries for 60 yards.
For Miami, Beck was 19-of-32 for 232 yards with one landing and one interception. Toney completed the sport with 10 catches for 122 yards and his core, whereas Fletcher rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries.
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