MIAMI — The Indiana Hoosiers are national champions. IU defeated Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game by a final score of 27-21 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Hoosiers won their first national title in program history, and 25th team title in school history.
Below are three quick reasons why the Hoosiers won, along with highlights and final stats.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the game from The Daily Hoosier.
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Three quick reasons why Indiana won
1. Fourth quarter response drives. Indiana completed a fourth quarter drive for a touchdown that will be remembered for generations. After Miami scored to pull to within 17-14, Indiana went twelve plays and 75 yards to reclaim a 10-point lead. On that drive Indiana converted two fourth downs, including a 12-yard touchdown run by Fernando Mendoza on 4th-and-5. Mendoza also hit Charlie Becker for another fourth down conversion on the drive. After Miami responded with another score, the Hoosiers also scored a field goal on a later fourth quarter drive to stretch their lead to six.
2. Blocked punt responds to a Miami score as well. Mikail Kamara didn’t have the season he had hoped for rushing the passer. But he got home in punt rush and delivered the biggest play of his career. With Miami punting deep in its own territory, Kamara got to the edge of the Hurricane punt protection and was able to get an arm on the kick. Isaiah Jones recovered in the end zone to give IU a 17-7 lead late in the third quarter.
3. Miami native ices the game. Indiana’s defense struggled the entire second half, but Miami native Jamari Sharpe came through with the game-clinching interception with the Hurricanes driving into IU territory in the final minute with a chance to win. Sharpe took a knee, and with Miami out of timeouts, the game was over. Mendoza is also a Miami native, as the local products delivered against a Miami team playing on its home field.
Highlights
Final stats
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