Fernando Mendoza played his heart out in Indiana’s 27-21 win over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Monday night. The Heisman Trophy winner went 16/27 for 186 yards and rushed for a score on an incredible 4th-down quarterback draw in the fourth quarter.
Mendoza went airborne on his touchdown, and took some big hits while scoring, but he didn’t stop until he reached the end zone. He delivered an epic quote about his TD, saying he would die on the field for his teammates.
“I had to go airborne,” Mendoza told ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “I would die for my team. Whatever they need me to do, they need me to take shots — the front, the back, whatever it is — I’m going to die for my team out there, and I know they’re going to do the same for me. That’s what makes us so close. That’s what makes this national championship so special.”
"I got declined to walk-on at the University of Miami. Full circle moment here playing in Miami."
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 20, 2026
Fernando Mendoza's full interview with @sportsiren after winning the CFP National Championship ❤️ 🥺 pic.twitter.com/2cWbD9sc3H
Mendoza’s play on the field matches his quote — he looked like he would leave it all out there. And that’s part of why the Hoosiers went 16-0 and won the national championship in improbable fashion.
Indiana used to be the worst team in FBS based on total losses, but that was until Curt Cignetti was hired and turned them around. Now they’re a monster and the best team in college football. Who saw that coming?
