The 2026 College Football national championship took place over the long weekend. Where the one seeded favorite Indiana Hoosiers defeated the ten seeded Miami Hurricanes 27-21.
Indiana had one of the most hollywood movie stories in history and were the fan favorites across the majority of the country. Miami were the villains, especially in Ohio, after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ole Miss who were absent of a head coach after Lane Kiffin’s big exit for the LSU Tigers and Death Valley.
The first quarter had not that much action, just a field goal by Indiana’s kicker, Nico Radicic set the Hoosiers ahead. The second quarter again was underwhelming however did have an eventual touchdown run by, tight end, Riley Nowakowski from the one yard line to give the Hoosiers a commanding two score lead. Miami trying to give some hope into the half attempted a long field goal. Senior kicker, Carter Davis, though one of the best kickers in college football this season, hit the right upright denying the Hurricanes of their first score of the game.
The third quarter arrived, and Miami jumped on top the potential momentum change with a forced punt and then a long rushing touchdown by running back, Mark Fletcher Jr. who gave Miami hope and momentum. Indiana couldn’t get much done despite their rushing success throughout most of the game. After a punt keeping Miami inside the 10, they were able to hold them to a three and out forcing a punt. On which they both blocked and recovered the punt in the endzone to add on another score and a possibly game changing play.
The fourth quarter is where it all went down though. Indiana had a rough time stopping Mark Fletcher the whole game, but something changed within him coming into the fourth. Fletcher would run all over the Hoosier defense, typically stated as the best defense in the country, and would score another touchdown making it 17-14. Indiana would drive down the field a few minutes later before a gutsy, fourth down, QB draw up the middle where he would make a move around one defender, break a tackle after crossing the first down marker, then continuing and diving into the endzone while having his back broken from a hard hit from behind.
This was ultimately the play of the game which would seal the deal for Indiana, however this was not known at the time as freshman, Malachi Toney would have a similar play of his own. After receiving a check down from QB, Carson Beck he would successfully spin around two defenders before crossing the goal line giving Miami one more hope with just over six minutes remaining. All Indiana would need to do would be to run out the clock. But when entering the redzone, Olentangy Liberty alumni Carter Smith would flinch on a crucial second down and one. This tiny slip would halt all Indiana momentum going forward and they would have to settle for a field goal giving them a six point 27-21 lead with just over a minute remaining.
Miami would have to march down the field and score a touchdown to tie or win the game. This seemed easy for them as they completed two of their first three passes to get them just behind the 50. After a small check down to Malachi Toney they would be stuck with 50 seconds left and 40 or so yards remaining for a score. This is where Miami would attempt their first big pass of the drive. Carson Beck aimed for number zero Keelan Marion on the left sideline. However this pass was massively under thrown and intercepted by number 22 Jamari Sharpe who would kneel it down at the six to seal the game, and the Hoosiers first national championship in program history.