As Indiana closed out a 27–21 victory to come out of the College Football Playoff national championship game in triumph, Miami walked off the field in devastation.
Returning to the national championship game for the first time in nearly a quarter century and playing at their home stadium, Miami put up a strong fight against the undefeated Hoosiers. Despite falling behind 10–0 in the first half, they fought back, countering nearly each of Indiana’s scores in the second half. The Hurricanes had the chance to snatch the win with a game-winning drive in the final two minutes, but quarterback Carson Beck ended up throwing a game-ending interception that sealed Indiana’s first ever national championship.
The second the Hoosiers knew they were NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/ALrO1KdEb2
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 20, 2026
Miami coach Mario Cristobal took the blame for the loss, echoing the heartbreak of his program as he spoke to ESPN’s Molly McGrath postgame…