How Indiana won college football's national championship

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Indiana announced its arrival in college football a year ago. At the time, however, many people struggled to believe the program could sustain success. After all, Indiana had long held the label of the losingest program in FBS history. Critics questioned the schedule, doubted the legitimacy of the run, and dismissed the Hoosiers after their playoff loss to Notre Dame.

To many outsiders, the story felt cute but temporary. They argued Indiana should leave the spotlight to the traditional powers.

Then came Curt Cignetti.

Anyone who has followed his career knows one thing: the man wins. Consistently.

Despite being ranked just No. 20 entering the 2025 season and projected to finish sixth in the Big Ten, Indiana used that disrespect as fuel. Instead of fading, the Hoosiers delivered one of the most improbable turnarounds in sports history. They finished 16-0 and claimed the program’s first national championship, becoming the first major college team to achieve perfection since Yale in 1894.

“It’s a tremendous story,” Cignetti said. “People who truly understand the game know how rare this is.”

The title game against Miami showcased everything Indiana had become. Late in the fourth quarter, with the Hoosiers clinging to a three-point lead, Cignetti called a quarterback run on fourth-and-4. Fernando Mendoza responded by fighting through defenders and stretching across the goal line. The play captured the season perfectly: trust from the coach, execution from the players, and toughness at the core.

Earlier, when asked whether Indiana qualified as a Cinderella story, Cignetti deflected with dry humor. “Define Cinderella story in the context of Indiana,” he said.

The definition fits. Indiana once became the first Division I team to lose 700 games. Now, the program stands as national champion.

When Indiana hired Cignetti in 2023, he made no guarantees about timelines. Still, he never placed limits on what the program could become. Athletic director Scott Dolson shared that vision, emphasizing long-term belief over short-term caution. That mindset shaped every decision that followed.

Cignetti built the roster his way. He prioritized effort, accountability, and production over recruiting stars. Many of his early contributors previously played for him at other stops. Moreover, his approach quickly changed the internal culture.

The loss to Notre Dame in the 2024 playoff became the turning point. Rather than settling, Cignetti attacked the transfer portal. One of his most important additions was quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who brought leadership and resilience. From the beginning, Mendoza embraced the program’s values. He even memorized every teammate’s name to build trust.

Leadership soon spread throughout the roster. During offseason workouts, players began pushing each other to complete “one more rep.” That phrase became a team identity. Effort became habit. Discipline became expectation.

Indiana’s play soon matched the mindset. A dominant win over Illinois signaled legitimacy. A road victory at Oregon confirmed it. Then came a dramatic win at Penn State, where Mendoza engineered a final-minute touchdown drive to preserve the perfect season. Each moment reinforced belief.

By the time Indiana reached the Big Ten Championship, doubt had vanished. The Hoosiers defeated Ohio State 13-10 and claimed their first conference title since 1967. Soon after, Mendoza captured the school’s first Heisman Trophy.

In the College Football Playoff, Indiana raised its level again. The Hoosiers dismantled Alabama and Oregon in consecutive blowouts. No team had dominated the expanded playoff format like this before.

Yet, the story was never about stars. Indiana entered the season with very few elite recruits. Instead, it relied on cohesion, preparation, and trust. That formula proved more powerful than raw talent.

Even now, the mindset inside the program remains grounded.

“There’s still a chip on our shoulder,” Dolson said. “We know how quickly success can disappear if you stop working.”

Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara echoed that belief. “We want this to become normal,” he said. “That’s the goal.”

Indiana’s rise no longer feels like a fluke. Instead, it feels like the beginning of a new standard.