Overview
- Heisman Trophy quarterback Fernando Mendoza sealed Indiana’s edge with a tackle-breaking 12-yard touchdown draw on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 remaining.
- Mikail Kamara blocked a Miami punt that Isaiah Jones returned for a touchdown, the first blocked-punt TD in College Football Playoff history.
- Jamari Sharpe intercepted Carson Beck with 44 seconds left to clinch the Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory in Miami Gardens.
- Coach Curt Cignetti criticized officiating at halftime, saying multiple clear personal fouls on hits to Mendoza went uncalled.
- Alumni funding and NIL-driven roster building, highlighted by donations from Mark Cuban, powered the rapid rise as NFL evaluators eyed Mendoza as a potential No. 1 pick with Tom Brady in attendance.