In his second season leading the Indiana Hoosiers, Curt Cignetti authored an undefeated season that culminated in a 27-21 victory over Miami in the CFP National Championship at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Cignetti is a Morgantown High School and West Virginia University graduate. He was a quarterback for the Mountaineers from 1979-1982.
FERNANDO MENDOZA HEISMAN MOMENT pic.twitter.com/9kx6a5uXel
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 20, 2026
Indiana is the first team in the modern era to post a 16-0 season in major college football. The top-seeded Hoosiers defeated Alabama (38-3) in the quarterfinals and Oregon (56-22) in the semifinals.
The Hoosiers led Miami, 10-0 at halftime and never trailed in the contest. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-5 with 9:18 remaining in the fourth quarter game IU a 24-14 lead. Mendoza completed 16-of-27 passes for 186 yards.
Cignetti is 27-2 in two seasons leading the Hoosiers.