For the first time in what felt like a long time, Americans watched a great college football championship face-off on Monday night. The Miami Hurricanes, who weren’t even considered playoff contenders by some, put up an impressive fight against the number one-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, but ultimately lost after their star six-year quarterback Carson Beck threw a last-minute interception.
For the first time in Hoosier history, Indiana secured the ultimate college football victory. That feat was due in large part to Curt Cignetti, who took the Hoosiers from their reputation as one of the “losing-est teams in college football” with a perpetually empty stadium to undefeated national football champions. Indiana’s win was the first by a 16 and 0 team since Yale’s run in 1894.
Here are the top 10 best moments from Monday night’s matchup.
Christ Takes Center Stage
Moments before kickoff, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, joined by his teammates, bent a knee in prayer in the end zone.
This kind of public invocation was not limited to the Hoosiers or the championship game. Time and time again this season, Mendoza and a handful of other players publicly thanked and glorified God before and after they played.
The Crowd Cheers For Trump
The crowd at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami went wild during the National Anthem when a camera spotted Commander-In-Chief Donald Trump, surrounded by his grandkids, admiring the American flag covering the football field.
The Punt Block That Changed Everything
Special teams fly under the radar until they don’t, which is exactly what happened with the Hoosiers on Monday night. Indiana’s special teams not only blocked a Miami punt in the third quarter, but also recovered the ball for a touchdown. That particular score proved to be essential to Indiana’s championship win.
Mendoza Bulldozes His Way To A Touchdown
A quarterback run on a 4th and 5 when your team is only up by three points is, by all measures, a risky play. Yet, Mendoza delivered a charge through the defense and over the line, breaking five tackles along the way, with the precise skill and coolness that earned him a Heisman.
“My offensive linemen blocked perfectly,” Mendoza humbly recalled in a post-game interview.
Miami Brings The Heat
Miami may have lost but the Hurricanes’ performance can’t be completely discounted. Not only did they keep up with Indiana for the majority of the game, but team members like Miami Wide Receiver Malachi Toney clocked an impressive number of catches and yards.
Sore Loser City
Unfortunately, Miami’s impressive field performance was quickly overshadowed by its sore losers who threw punches and refused handshakes after the clock timed out.
Curt Cignetti Cracks A Smile
The coach famous for his sassy sideline stance, hardened look at the camera, and general confidence (It’s pretty simple: he wins. Google him) couldn’t keep up the cool and collected facade when his team crossed the finish line.
“We won the national championship at Indiana University,” Cignetti said, beaming. “It can be done.”
Enjoy that beer, buddy. You earned it.
The Mendoza Family
It takes great people to raise great kids, and the Mendoza family’s celebration of their son’s success is almost as sweet as Indiana’s victory itself.
Bloomington, Indiana Brings The House Down
There’s nothing like homegrown sports, and Bloomington, Indiana went all out to cheer on their team in Miami. When the Hoosiers effectively ended the game with a last-minute interception, the crowds went wild, celebrating the clutch catch.
The Realignment
One of the best things to come from Monday night wasn’t something that could be captured on camera, but it’s still worth mentioning. It’s the hope that your favorite college football team — no matter how small and no matter what conference — can, with some donor money, hard work, and a half-decent coach, also become a national champion.
The NIL system, with all of its flaws, has turned the sport on its head. The teams, such as Indiana, that take advantage of it will go far.
