Indiana's Fernando Mendoza reacts to nationwide championship win

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Fernando Mendoza referred to as his shot in entrance of his family and friends within the largest second of his collegiate profession as he helped the Indiana Hoosiers to a nationwide championship.

Mendoza took the snap on 4th-and-5 and ran it up the intestine. He bounced off a number of Miami Hurricanes defenders , leaped from the 2-yard line and stretched out his fingers to place the ball over the objective line whereas getting battered as he fell into the tip zone.

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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers dives for a fourth quarter landing in opposition to the Miami Hurricanes within the 2026 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Onerous Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs)

Indiana went up 24-14 with 9:18 left within the recreation and the Hoosiers received the sport, 27-21.

"That’s one factor about our crew," Mendoza advised ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the sport. "We’re at all times going to place all of it on the road. I wish to give all of the glory and because of God. My offensive linemen blocked completely and we have been capable of execute as a crew towards a typical objective. Have the Indiana Hoosier synergy to attain and to offer our crew an opportunity to win the sport.

INDIANA'S CURT CIGNETTI COMPLAINS ABOUT LACK OF CALLS AGAINST MIAMI DURING HALFTIME OF NATIONAL TITLE GAME

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries the ball for a landing in opposition to the Miami Hurricanes within the fourth quarter through the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship recreation at Onerous Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Photographs)

"I needed to go airborne. I’d die for my crew. No matter they want me to do. They want me to take photographs within the entrance or the again, no matter it's, I’m gonna die for my crew on the market and I do know they’re going to do the identical for me. That’s what makes us so shut. That’s what makes the national championship so particular."

Mendoza, who was bloodied within the first quarter after an enormous hit to his face, was 16-of-27 with 186 passing yards and the dashing rating.

"He’s so powerful," Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti advised ESPN’s Molly McGrath. "He obtained hit. He had no time. He retains getting again up. Only a nice competitor and there’s no manner this will get finished with out that sort of efficiency at that place. I can’t say sufficient nice issues about him."

Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a fourth quarter landing in opposition to the Miami Hurricanes within the 2026 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Onerous Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)