January 26, 2026 by Haley Hammer (‘29)
It was in 2022, after 135 seasons, when Indiana University became the first D1 school to lose 700 football games. Critics ripped their schedule, called them a fluke, and even debated whether they deserved to make the college playoffs. Well, on January 19, 2026, at 11:37pm the crimson and white confetti swirled in the sky. The state that worships College Basketball, just won their first College Football National Championship.
Something nobody could have ever imagined two years ago, when the Hoosiers record went from 3-9 and a coaching change, to an undefeated, 16-0 this year.
No college football program had more losses than Indiana, before the addition of Curt (coach) Cignetti in 2023. Cignetti blurted out at a press conference, “It’s pretty simple. I win. Google me,” and clearly, he was not wrong. Cignetti has won three consecutive championships (2019, 2020, 2021) with James Madison University. His overall record is 143-37, having coached at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Elon, James Madison, and Indiana.
The crowd that night was electric. Everyone cheered while others scoffed, at the well deserved win for the Hoosiers. The Hoosiers have not made the top 10 since 1945 when they beat the No 1. seed Ohio State University. Then, Indiana crushed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, their first Rose Bowl win since 1967. Demolished Oregon 56-22, in the Peach Bowl on January 9th, and then shut down the U (University of Miami) in the championships.
The team success can be largely credited to the Quarterback, known as “the football nerd,” Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza started off his college journey at UC Berkeley, spending three seasons there, starting for two of them. Having completed his undergraduate degree in 3 years, he began planning for graduate school. Mendoza was offered to play at renowned schools such as Harvard, and Yale, but ultimately chose to pursue his Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree at the Kelley School of Business at IU. His choice was made easier since his brother and fellow teammate Albero, was already slinging for IU. Ferando Mendoza led the team to a 13-0 record in the regular season, crushing the 29 touchdown record by scoring 32 touchdowns, and becoming the first Heisman trophy winner from Indiana.
With “one of the greatest sports stories of all time” and a few new tricks up their sleeve, the Hoosiers were able to defeat major schools such as Penn State, Iowa, and Oregon, plus the big ten win at Ohio State. The Hoosiers strive for aggression in critical moments that put them leagues above the other teams while confronted in the 4th quarter.
With a 17-14 lead in the 4th quarter; facing a fourth-and-5 at the Miami 37, Indiana opted to go for a first down rather than attempt a long field goal. Mendoza threw down the right sideline toward receiver Charlie Becker, who reached behind on his back hip for a 20-yard completion. Four plays later, Indiana faced another fourth-and-4 at the 12-yard line. Once again, the Hoosiers went for the first down, and Mendoza ran a draw up the middle. Instead of going down on contact at the 5-yard line, Mendoza broke a pair of tackles and took a major hit at the goal line as he lunged into the end zone for a touchdown.
“I feel like that’s what he’s always been all year long: attack, be aggressive, play to win, I felt like he made some of those decisions today that reflected that.” Stated coach Cig after the big win.
Miami repeatedly battled back from three different 10-point deficits, and after an Indiana 35-yard field goal, the Hurricanes had one last shot down six points with 1:42 left. In five plays, Miami drove to Indiana’s 41-yard line. Then quarterback Carson Beck underthrew a pass toward receiver Keelan Marion, and the Hoosiers cornerback Jamari Sharpe picked it off to seal the victory. And a cheer spread throughout the stadium that reached roughly 112 decibels, as the Hoosier clinched their 27-21 championship winning victory.
As the confetti fell, offensive line coach Bob Bostad grabbed guard Drew Evans, who fell into his mentor’s arms and burst into tears