Live Blog: National Championship — FINAL: Indiana Football 27, Miami 21
Indiana football looks to conclude their storybook run in Miami, where they will face the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship.
The top-ranked Hoosiers dominated Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl, and come into this one with a 15-0 record.
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Miami is 13-2 on the season and is coming off a close win against Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. Their only losses of the season came at home against Louisville and on the road against SMU. Head coach Mario Cristobal is in his 4th year with the Hurricanes, boasting a 35-18 record.
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Indiana will be looking to win their first National Championship in program history, while Miami will be looking to claim their 6th championship and first since 2001.
The Hoosiers are 7.5-point favorites against the Hurricanes with an over/under of 46.5 points per BetMGM.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Below is a full live blog with updated coverage throughout the game.
Indiana Football Gameday Preview: National Championship – key storyline, injury report, how to watch
Final Injury Report
01/19/2026 05:10:34 PMIndiana
Stephen Daley – OUT
Kellan Wyatt – OUT
Amariyun Knighten – OUT
Bryson Bonds – OUT
Lee Beebe Jr. – OUT
Jah Jah Boyd – OUT
Andrew DePaepe – OUT
Brendan Franke – GAME TIME DECISION
Miami
Malik Bryant – OUT
Elija Lofton – OUT
Daylyn Upshaw – OUT
Donta Simpson – OUT
Xavier Lucas – OUT (1st Half)
Damari Brown – GAME TIME DECISION
ESPN College Gameday’s Picks
01/19/2026 06:27:54 PMIndiana wins the coin toss
01/19/2026 06:50:46 PMQ1 15:00: Indiana Football 0, Miami 0
Hurricanes will start with the football and the Hoosiers will defend the West end zone.
Indiana gets on the board first with a field goal
01/19/2026 07:22:06 PMQ1 2:42: Indiana Football 3, Miami 0
After punting on their first drive the Hoosiers go 55 yards on 12 plays, but can’t get six. Nico Radicic finished the drive off with a 34 yard field goal.
End of Q1: Indiana Football 3, Miami 0
01/19/2026 07:32:13 PM
Riley Nowakowski punches it for the touchdown
01/19/2026 08:00:55 PMQ2 6:13: Indiana Football 10, Miami 0
Indiana hands it off to the TE for the one yard touchdown on third and goal. Hoosiers went 85 yards on 14 plays on the drive.
Fernando Mendoza has completed 11-15 passes for 104 yards.
Miami hits the post on field goal attempt
01/19/2026 08:13:26 PMQ2 0:23: Indiana Football 10, Miami 0
Miami went for it on 4th down on their own 35 and got it, but can’t come up with points after a missed field goal.
Halftime: Indiana Football 10, Miami 0
01/19/2026 08:15:30 PM
Mark Fletcher breaks one off for 57 yard TD
01/19/2026 08:49:11 PMQ3 11:06: Indiana Football 10, Miami 7
The Miami running back got some space and was gone taking it 57 yards to the house for the Hurricanes’ first score.
Indiana recovers blocked punt for touchdown
01/19/2026 09:11:37 PMQ3 5:04: Indiana Football 17, Miami 7
After another stop Mikail Kamara gets through and blocks the punt. Isaiah Jones jumps on it in the end zone for the touchdown.
End of Q3: Indiana Football 17, Miami 7
01/19/2026 09:19:03 PM
Miami responds as Mark Fletcher scores his 2nd TD
01/19/2026 09:23:18 PMQ4 14:57: Indiana Football 17, Miami 14
On the first play of the quarter Fletcher punches it in from three yards out for his second score of the game. 10 play 81 yard drive for Miami after the blocked punt.
Fletcher has 109 yards and two touchdowns on 16 rushes so far.
Fernando Mendoza does it himself on 4th down TD
01/19/2026 09:38:55 PMQ4 9:18: Indiana Football 24, Miami 14
On 4th and 5, Indiana dials up the QB draw and Mendoza breaks a tackle on the way to a 12 yard touchdown run. Incredible play by the Heisman trophy winner.
Hoosiers went 75 yards on 12 plays with two fourth down conversions on their biggest drive of the season. Mendoza connected with Charlie Becker on the other fourth down conversion.
Miami responds with Toney touchdown run
01/19/2026 09:49:52 PMQ4 6:37: Indiana Football 24, Miami 21
Miami responds as Carson Beck leads the Hurricanes 91 yards on 8 plays. Malachi Toney caps it off with a 22 yard rushing touchdown to make it a one possession game.
Indiana had Miami backed up at 3rd and 15, but Beck found his tight end Alex Bauman for a 22 yard gain.
Hoosiers add to their lead with late field goal
01/19/2026 10:08:23 PMQ4 1:42: Indiana Football 27, Miami 21
Indiana had the chance to end the game, but could not and settle for the field goal. Miami and Carson Beck will get a chance to win the game with no timeouts left.
Jamari Sharpe picks off Carson Beck to seal it
01/19/2026 10:15:35 PMQ4 0:44: Indiana Football 27, Miami 21
Jamari Sharpe is the hero and picks off Beck to seal the National Championship for Indiana.
The Hoosiers have made history.
FINAL: Indiana Football 27, Miami 21
01/19/2026 10:17:18 PM
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