HARD ROCK STADIUM - After a game-sealing interception thrown by Carson Beck of Miami, the University of Indiana has won its first ever CFP National Championship and Indiana’s first undefeated season since 1945.
This effort stems almost entirely from one man leading his team: Curt Cignetti. The 64-year-old coach turned the Hoosiers from a 3-9 record in 2023 to a perfect 16-0 in just two years. Indiana is historically the worst team in college football, entering the 2025 season with 713 defeats in their entire history. However, after the historic season Indiana had this season, Northwestern is now the worst team in college football for losses.
Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, also had a monstrous performance against Miami, with 186 yards passing and a historic rush towards the end zone to unofficially seal the game for the Hoosiers.
Mendoza reflected on this touchdown run, saying to the media, “I had to go airborne. I would die for my team; whatever they need me to do, take shots from the front and back, whatever it is.” He continues saying, “I was a 2-star recruit coming out of high school. I got declined a walk-on offer to the University of Miami. Full circle moment here playing in Miami. For my friends and family, I can’t thank Cignetti enough and give all the glory to God.”
The SEC’s dominance in college football especially is in question, as the SEC has failed to make the National Championship game in the past 3 seasons. With Michigan, Ohio State, and now Indiana taking home national championships, the southeastern region of the United States must step up.
Curt Cignetti also had plenty to mention about Fernando Mendoza, saying, “Fernando, I know he’s great at interviews and comes off as the ‘All American Guy,’ he has the heart of a lion when it comes to competition. That guy competes like a warrior; he got smacked a few times this game. I can’t say enough about his effort in these plays, and our team found a way to get it done.”
