Fernando Mendoza scored a remarkable touchdown to lead Indiana to its first-ever National Championship title with a nerve-shredding 27-21 win over Miami on Monday night.
In front of Tom Brady and Donald Trump, Mendoza cemented his status as the best quarterback in college football with an incredible piece of individual play to take the game away from the Hurricanes in the fourth quarter.
The projected No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft and reigning Heisman Trophy winner bulldozed his way into the end zone from 12 yards on a dramatic fourth down.
Miami still had a chance to stage a dramatic comeback but quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception with 44 seconds left in the game, sparking wild scenes among Indiana’s players, coaches and fans.
Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, was watching on in the stands with his Las Vegas Raiders expected to draft Mendoza with the first pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Victory for the Hoosiers in Miami’s own Hard Rock Stadium is the crowning moment of their remarkable rise under coach Curt Cignetti.
Fernando Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship success
The Heisman Trophy winner bulldozed himself into the end zone for a remarkable touchdown
Victory against the Miami Hurricanes completed Indiana’s remarkable rise under Curt Cignetti
The 64-year-old took over a school with the most losses in major college football history in 2024. They had also played in a grand total of 13 bowl games in the 130 years before his arrival. Now they have completed an undefeated 16-0 season.
The game welcomed a star-studded crowd with Brady and Trump joined by the likes of Michael Irvin, Dana White, Mark Cuban, DJ Khaled and Livvy Dunne in the stands.
Just before kick off, Trump was greeted by huge cheers from the Miami crowd after arriving to watch the game alongside members of his family.
Trump was joined at the final by his daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner and their two sons Joseph Frederick and Theo James.
Granddaughter Kai, the eldest child of Donald Trump Jr, was also in attendance with her mom Vanessa, as was Lara Trump, the wife of the president’s second son Eric, with their son Luke and young daughter Carolina.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the group on the night and was even seen walking on the field prior to kickoff, while UFC president and Trump ally Dana White also visited the suite.
Secretary Doug Burgum, personal senior counsel Boris Epshteyn, communications director Steven Cheung and Dan Scavino, the president’s longtime aide, were the other members of his administration in attendance.
After arriving at the stadium, Trump was seen waving to fans from behind the bulletproof glass in his VIP suite as he prepared to watch the game unfold.
When he was shown on the big screen during the American national anthem, the president appeared to get a huge ovation from the crowd inside Hard Rock Stadium.
More to follow.
Tom Brady watched on his Las Vegas Raiders prepare to draft Mendoza with the No. 1 pick
Donald Trump made a grand arrival at Hard Rock Stadium ahead of the national title game
The president was joined at the College Football Playoff final by his daughter Ivanka (right)
Trump’s granddaughter, aspiring golfer Kai (left), was also seen in his VIP suite at the game
