Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza lifts the national championship trophy as WR Elijah Sarratt (13) and LB Aiden Fisher (4) look on, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
On a brisk Monday night in Miami, Indiana tied a cream-and-crimson bow on its dream season.
The No. 1 Hoosiers staved off a game Miami Hurricanes team, 27-21, to capture the 2025-26 College Football Playoff national title, becoming the first team in modern major college football history to finish 16-0. It is the first national championship for a program that, for much of its history, was a bottom-dweller in the Big Ten.
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Indiana’s star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who in December won the first Heisman Trophy in Indiana history, etched his name into college football lore on what may be remembered as the play of the year. Leading 17-14 with less than 10 minutes remaining, the Hoosiers faced a 4th-and-4 decision at Miami’s 12-yard line. Either kick a field goal for a six-point advantage or put the ball in the hands of the nation’s best player. They chose the latter, running the already-battered QB on a delayed draw.
In true Heisman fashion, he survived numerous would-be tackles and dove into the end zone.
Monday night was truly a full-circle moment for Mendoza, who knelt in the end zone to pray minutes before the game kicked off. He grew up in Miami just minutes from the Hurricanes’ campus, and claims he was denied a walk-on offer from the school. He was lightly recruited out of high school and transferred to Indiana from the University of California in December 2024.
“I want to give all the glory and thanks to God,” Mendoza — who was named Offensive Player of the Game — told ESPN on the field as the confetti fell. He finished his interview by again giving glory to God, as he so often does.
“This is the most special moment of my life,” he said as he choked back tears. “I know my teammates, there’s no one else I’d rather [win a title] with. … God bless. Go Hoosiers.”
Mendoza has shared about his faith all season. At the players’ pregame media availability on Saturday, Mendoza was asked why his faith is important to him and why he often mentions Christ publicly.
“In today’s day and age, it can be very discouraging to talk about your faith, especially on national television,” he said. “However, I always want to stay true to myself and true to my authentic self. So, I know God has gotten me to this point, and I owe so much to Him. So I really can’t thank Him enough, and I give Him all the glory because He’s meant so much to myself and to my teammates and my family throughout this journey.
“Without Him, I would not be here. I wouldn’t have this opportunity that I have today without Him.”
As spectacular as Mendoza’s scramble was, however, it didn’t seal the game. Miami roared back with a touchdown of its own. Indiana then tacked on a field goal on the ensuing possession, made possible in part by a 19-yard back-shoulder grab on 3rd-and-7 by wide receiver Charlie Becker. He had a very similar catch on a 4th-and-5 play during the drive that ended with Mendoza’s heroic dive.
Becker, who finished the night with four catches for 65 yards, is also a man of God.
“God is everything for me and my family,” Becker told the Christian Broadcast Network (CBN) at Saturday’s media availability. “The amazing things that He’s done, the gifts that He’s given me, it’s a blessing to be on this kind of stage and promoting Him.”
He also shared that Indiana had a large number of players attending team Bible studies on Thursdays this year. One of those players was presumably fellow wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., who led the Hoosiers with five receptions for 71 yards on Monday night.
“[Jesus] means everything,” he told CBN on Saturday. “That’s my Savior. That’s the Man that put His life on the line for us when He didn’t have to. One of the verses I remember a lot is, I believe, Romans 5:8 where it says, ‘Christ died for us while we were still sinners.’
“Christ already knew that, as humanity, we were born in sin. That we were going to sin. But He still did the will of the Father, and it just shows how much He loves us and what He’s willing to do for us.”
Not to be overlooked in the aftermath of the title game was the performance by Indiana’s defense, especially in the first half. It held Miami and talented quarterback Carson Beck scoreless in the first 30 minutes, only allowing a CFP title-game record-low 69 yards. The unit has been led all season by two-time first-team All-American linebacker Aiden Fisher, who delivered once again with four tackles and the Hoosiers’ only sack.
Fisher was also asked on Saturday about his faith.
“My faith has been my everything,” he said. “[I’ve been] just going through a lot of ups and downs, trials and tribulations throughout my career, and my life, honestly. And I think coming to Indiana, I really learned that — how to walk in my faith a little bit better.”
Fisher shared that he has been heavily impacted by the Biblical story of Jesus calling the apostle Peter to walk on water with Him. While Peter’s eyes were on Jesus, he walked on water. When he diverted his eyes to the wind and waves, he began to sink before Jesus rescued him.
“When you think of it in a sense of how that translates to my life, it’s just, ‘Keep your eyes on Jesus. You’re going to be in big moments like this. You’re going to be in times that aren’t good, times that are great. It’s all those times that you need to just keep your eyes on Jesus. It will lead you in the right way. Just don’t look at the storm. Look at Jesus. Look at Him guiding you and leading you in the right direction.’
“And it’s been huge for me. I would not be sitting here without my faith in Jesus and the way that He’s been able to use me at a platform to glorify Him and show the testament.”
These Hoosiers are bonded for life by the perfect season they completed on Monday night. But for Mendoza, Becker, Cooper, Fisher and their other Christ-following teammates, they know their perfection was only a spotlight for the only One who is truly perfect.
“No one is perfect,” Mendoza declared during Saturday’s media availability. “The only Person I believe is perfect is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
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RELATED STORIES:
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— SS PODCAST: All-American LB Aiden Fisher on Indiana, growing in faith
— QB Carson Beck has Miami in title game: ‘God has a plan in everything’
