r/CFB • u/CFB_Referee /r/CFB • Jan 20 '26

Postgame Thread [Postgame Thread] Indiana Defeats Miami 27-21

Box Score provided by ESPN

Team 1 2 3 4 T
Miami 0 0 7 14 21
Indiana 3 7 7 10 27
14.6k Upvotes

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5.9k

u/jdprager Tulane Green Wave • Ohio State Buckeyes Jan 20 '26

Curt Cignetti is one of the greatest coaches in sports history, and I will entertain no debate. This is fucking IMPOSSIBLE

546

u/homefree122 Oklahoma Sooners Jan 20 '26

That Mendoza fourth-quarter rushing touchdown was one of the best plays you’ll see in any championship game on any level. The guts to go for it. The tenacity to get into the end zone.

74

u/popereggie Jan 20 '26

I’m not even an Indiana fan and I clapped so loud I woke the kid up. Just electric.

50

u/Sp3ctre7 Michigan Tech Huskies • Team Chaos Jan 20 '26

Game-winning score, too. All-time highlight.

12

u/FloatCopper Indiana • Michigan Tech Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26

Yes, the game winner!

Go Huskies!

,

39

u/middleofthecircle Jan 20 '26

Who the fuck calls that play ? Unbelievable and unforgettable. Great play and props to Mendoza for that extra effort .

29

u/Creek0512 Indiana Hoosiers Jan 20 '26

“You can’t play scared. We gotta attack.” - Curt Cignetti

6

u/strooticus Indiana Hoosiers Jan 20 '26

In his post-game interview with Van Pelt, Mendoza said they expected coverage that would allow for a quick pass for a first down. When that didn't materialize as they thought, he said "screw it," and just Forrest Gumped his way to the endzone.

10

u/Whatsdota Jan 20 '26

Reminded me of the Elway helicopter play in the SB

3

u/Selonn Indiana Hoosiers • Truman Bulldogs Jan 20 '26

First connection I made too. Both were legendary.

10

u/ImJLu California • Ohio State Jan 20 '26

Of all the flaws in Mendoza's game here, being afraid to take a hit was never one of them.

10

u/Escritortoise Jan 20 '26

I love how Cig’s post-game was just straight facts. He was like “yeah, we saw how they’ve played in that situation and planned our blocking for this scenario we thought they would run and rolled the dice.”

4

u/thedavecan Tennessee • Tennessee Tech Jan 20 '26

The balls on Cig to call that in that situation and trust your Heisman winning QB is the type of ice cold nerves of steel that won them the natty. Not playing the numbers and throwing huge dollars at 5 star recruits. It was scouting the right guys, having a gameplan and trusting that you've got the right guys in the right places to get it done. Thats real football.

Also, mad respect to Miami. I never thought they were out of it until that last Int.

3

u/notaquarterback Wyoming Cowboys • Michigan Wolverines Jan 20 '26

loved that play call so much

1

u/gregorthelink Jan 20 '26

Woke up my friends sleeping on the couch when that happened lol they were concerned