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Undaunted and undefeated Hoosiers capture first football national championship

Por Indiana University

30 de January de 2026

The Indiana University football team's 2025 season is one fans will never forget. The Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 on Jan. 19 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship, capping off a historic undefeated season and one of the most remarkable turnarounds in sports history.

Hoosier Nation showed up in full force, taking over Hard Rock Stadium – the home of the Miami Hurricanes – and filling Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, along with streets and living rooms across Bloomington, for the title game. The celebration continued days later at Memorial Stadium, where players and fans reunited for a free rally to cap off an unforgettable championship run and welcome home several new additions to the IU football trophy case.

Fans pick up rally towels at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Photo by Emma Pearce/Indiana Athletics)

A rally towel is pictured during a pick up event in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Photo by Emma Pearce/Indiana Athletics)

Hoosier fans wait in line to receive their rally towels at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall at IU Bloomington on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Photo by Eric Rudd/Indiana University Office of Student Life)

An IU trident sits in the sand in Miami Beach on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

A Miami Beach sign is pictured on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

The IU trident adorns a lifeguard hut in Miami Beach on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Members of the IU Marching Hundred run as they perform âShoutâ at Playoff Fan Central in the Miami Beach Convention Center on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

The IU Marching Hundred perform at Playoff Fan Central in the Miami Beach Convention Center on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Members of the IU Marching Hundred perform at Playoff Fan Central in the Miami Beach Convention Center on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

IU fans pose for a photo at Playoff Fan Central in the Miami Beach Convention Center on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

IU Cheerleaders and the Marching Hundred pump up the crowd during the Big Red Warm Up in Miami on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Fans tailgate before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Hard Rock Stadium is pictured before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Fans arrive in their seats before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics)

IU Marching Hundred drum major Rosamaria McMahon leads the band before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics)

IU fans cheer during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Mark Cuban smiles as he prepares for an interview with ESPN before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Fireworks explode during the playing of the National Anthem before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics)

IU cheerleaders pump up the crowd during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

An Indiana player wears a CFP 2026 patch on his uniform before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher runs onto the field before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Maddi Sponsel/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti huddles with players before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Bryant Haines huddles with players before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics)

IU fans watch the College Football Playoff National Championship during a watch party at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Monday, January 19, 2026. (Photo by Liz Kaye/Indiana University)

Fans watch the College Football Playoff National Championship from a bar on Kirkwood in Bloomington on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Chris Meyer/Indiana University)

Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) runs after a catch during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Miami defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. (99) pressures Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana University President Pamela S. Whitten throws hotdogs to students in the IU student section during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara (6) pressures Miami quarterback Carson Beck (11) during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana lines up against Miami during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti watches a play from the sidelines during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

A fan wears a hat adorned with a Curt Cignetti pin during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski (37) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

IU fans react to a play as they watch the College Football Playoff National Championship at BuffaLouie's in Bloomington. (Photo by Chris Meyer/Indiana University)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza scrambles away from pressure during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Maddi Sponsel/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara (6) blocks a punt from Miami's Dylan Joyce (94) during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones (46) recovers a punt blocked by defensive lineman Mikail Kamara (6) for a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher reacts during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Levi Jones/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza rushes for a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Maddi Sponsel/Indiana Athletics)

IU fans watch the College Football Playoff National Championship at Heartwork Brewing in Bloomington on Monday, January 19, 2026. (Photo by Alex Kumar/Indiana University)

IU cheerleaders wave flags following an IU touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana defensive back Jamari Sharpe makes a play during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Levi Jones/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker makes a contested catch during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Maddi Sponsel/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) celebrates his game-clinching interception in the closing seconds of the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Also pictured are defensive back Louis Moore (7) and defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe (17). (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

A young fan cries as IU wins the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana offensive lineman Bray Lynch reacts after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Levi Jones/Indiana Athletics)

Fans celebrate on Kirkwood after IU won in the College Football Playoff National Championship in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Photo by Chris Meyer/Indiana University)

Kirkwood Avenue in Bloomington is pictured from the air after IUâs win against Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Alex Kumar/Indiana University)

Fans cry tears of joy after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

IU Marching Hundred drum major Rosamaria McMahon cries after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates with his family after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Maddi Sponsel/Indiana Athletics)

Confetti falls after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza hugs brother Alberto Mendoza after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Photo by Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics)

Confetti falls after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Photo by Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti celebrates on stage with the trophy after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates on stage with the trophy after IU won the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Photo by Maddi Sponsel/Indiana Athletics)

IU RedSteppers lay in confetti on the field following IU's win against Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Confetti piles up on the field following IU's win in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Photo by Eric Hanus/Indiana University)

Trophies won during the 2025-2026 season are pictured on stage during a celebration of IU's win in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics)

Indiana University President Pamela S. Whitten speaks during a celebration of IU's win in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wendi Chitwood/Indiana University)

Fans gather for a celebration of IU's win in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wendi Chitwood/Indiana University)

Confetti falls on fans during a celebration of IU's win in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wendi Chitwood/Indiana University)

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti lifts the AFCA Coaches' Trophy during a celebration of IU's win in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wendi Chitwood/Indiana University)

John Mellencamp performs with IU players during a celebration of IU's win in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Grace Urbanski/Indiana Athletics)

Footnotes

Photos by James Brosher, Wendi Chitwood, Eric Hanus, Levi Jones, Liz Kaye, Alex Kumar, Dani Meersman, Chris Meyer, Luke Miller, Emma Pearce, Eric Rudd, Maddi Sponsel and Grace Urbanski. Videos by Trevor Bowens, Andrew Brown, Tyler Carrell, Noah Gilbert, Darrell Grant, Eric Hanus, Alex Kumar and Haley Semian.