Can Indiana football complete one of the most amazing runs in college football history? The No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0) get their chance against Miami (13-2) in the College Football Playoff national championship game tonight, Jan. 19.
IU was a perennial also-ran before coach Curt Cignetti arrived in late 2023. The Hoosiers qualified for the CFP in 2024 and became a powerhouse this season behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The Hurricanes were a controversial pick to the CFP field but have won three games for their title shot. Miami has won five national championships, most recently in 2001. Coach Mario Cristobal, a Miami native, played on title-winning Hurricanes teams. Quarterback Carson Beck ran in the winning touchdown in the closing seconds of their semifinal game against Ole Miss.
PERFECT! Buy this IU football championship book
We will have score updates and highlights throughout, so please remember to refresh.
Malachi Toney Jr. scores a touchdown for Miami vs. Indiana in CFP national championship
Indiana 24, Miami 21, 6:37 left 4Q: Malachi Toney Jr. scores a 22-yard touchdown to complete a drive of 8 plays and 91 yards. Toney has 9 catches for 115 yards.
Indiana football score tonight vs. Miami: Fernando Mendoza runs for a touchdown
Indiana 24, Miami 14, 9:18 left 4Q: Fernando Mendoza runs for a 12-yard touchdown on 4th down.
Charlie Becker corrals the Fernando Mendoza pass for a 19-yard gain on 4th down to the Miami 18.
Mark Fletcher Jr. scores his second touchdown vs. Indiana in CFP national championship
Indiana 17, Miami 14, 14:57 left 4Q: Mark Fletcher Jr. scores easily on the first play of the fourth quarter from 3 yards. Fletcher has 109 rushing yards.
Miami converts a 3rd-down play for the first time tonight as Carson Beck hits C.J. Daniels for 24 yards to the IU 35.
Indiana blocks a Miami punt and scores a touchdown
Indiana 17, Miami 7, 5:04 left 3Q: Mikhail Kamara blocks the punt and Isaiah Jones recovers in the end zone.
Miami’s defense is stopping Indiana in second half
6:24 left 3Q: That’s two sacks for Ahkeem Mesidor. Miami has the ball at its 7 after IU’s punt.
Indiana defense comes up big again
7:51 left 3Q: Miami is 0-of-7 on 3rd-down plays as a Carson Beck pass falls incomplete. IU has the ball at its 43 after a Hurricanes punt.
Miami football has the ball vs. Indiana with a chance to take lead in CFP national championship
8:53 left 3Q: Miami has the ball at its 11 after an IU punt. Elijah Sarratt drops a pass that would have converted a 3rd-down play.
Mark Fletcher Jr. scores touchdown for Miami football vs. Indiana in CFP national championship
Indiana 10, Miami 7, 11:06 left 3Q: Miami’s Mark Fletcher Jr. goes 57 yards untouched.
Fernando Mendoza sacked twice in CFP national championship
11:52 left 3Q: The Hurricanes start from their 38 after an IU punt. Miami sacks Fernando Mendoza twice.
Indiana football score tonight: Hoosiers lead Miami 10-0 at halftime of CFP national championship
Fernando Mendoza is 12-of-17 passing for 116 yards and Riley Nowakowski rushes for a touchdown.
IU’s defense has been dominant, limiting Miami to 49 passing yards and 20 rushing yards.
IU has led at halftime by a combined 62-7 in College Football Playoff action.
Miami football misses field goal vs. Indiana in CFP national championship
Indiana 10, Miami 0, :33 left 2Q: Miami’s Carter Davis doinks a 50-yard attempt off the right upright. IU gets the ball at its 32.
Carson Beck hits C.J. Daniels for 25 yards into IU territory. One play earlier, Miami narrowly converts a 4th-down play to retain possession.
Riley Nowakowski scores a touchdown for Indiana football vs. Miami in CFP national championship
Indiana 10, Miami 0, 6:12 left 2Q: Riley Nowakowski runs in from 2 yards. The drive consumes 14 plays, 85 yards and 6:44.
Kaelon Black rushes for 21 yards to covert a 3rd-and-long.
More punts in CFP national championship
12:57 left 2Q: Miami has punted 4 times, IU twice with a field goal. IU has the ball at its 15.
Aiden Fisher sack forces a third Miami punt in first quarter of CFP national championship
1:38 left 1Q: It’s another 3-and-out for the Hurricanes as Aiden Fisher gets to Carson Beck. IU will start from its 27.
Indiana football score vs. Miami in CFP national championship: Hoosiers get a field goal
Indiana 3, Miami 0, 2:42 left 1Q: Nico Radecic kicks a 34-yard field goal to complete a 12-play drive covering 55 yards. The team that has scored first has won 9 straight CFP games.
Fernando Mendoza is 6-of-9 passing for 62 yards and has taken some hits from Miami defenders.
Defense rules again in CFP national championship
8:48 left 1Q: Miami goes 3-and-out, and IU begins from its 29 after a punt.
Indiana football score tonight: Miami defense stops IU in CFP national championship game
10:22 left 1H: The Hoosiers gain one first down but must punt. Miami has possession at its 23.
Indiana football score tonight: Defense holds on opening series vs. Miami in CFP national championship game
12:12 left 1Q: Miami gains one first down before it punts. The Hoosiers take over at their 5.
Indiana football long kicker is available vs. Miami CFP national championship game
Brendan Franke, who does kickoffs and has a 58-yard field goal this season, is available. Nico Radicic is IU’s primary kicker, and he is 16-of-17 this season with a long of 46 yards.
Indiana football fans are well represented at CFP national championship game
Miami faces issues in its defensive backfield vs. Indiana in CFP national championship game
ESPN reports that the Hurricanes have concerns in the defensive backfield. Xavier Lucas, who was called for targeting against Ole Miss, won’t play in the first half. Also, Damari Brown (foot) is a game-time decision, so O.J. Frederique Jr. (leg) — who played just seven snaps against Ole Miss — is expected to get a lot of field time early. Little-used freshman Ja’Boree Antoine is expected to play a lot early.
Mark Cuban discusses Indiana football’s approach to NIL use
John Mellencamp is ready for Indiana football’s national championship game
The Hoosier musician and Indiana athletics benefactor is ready for the game.
When is the College Football Playoff national championship game?
The College Football Playoff national championship game is 7:30 p.m. ET Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Where is the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026?
The College Football Playoff national championship game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
What channel is the College Football Playoff national championship game on? Where to watch College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19
Watch the national championship with ESPN+/Unlimited/Select
How much are tickets for the CFP national championship game? How can I get tickets for Indiana football vs. Miami on Monday, Jan. 19?
Check out national title game tickets on StubHub
What is the forecast for the national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19? Miami weather for Indiana football vs. Miami game on Monday, Jan. 19
The National Weather Service forecasts clear skies and temperatures in the 60s in Miami for the College Football Playoff national championship game between Indiana football and Miami.
College Football Playoff results
First round, Dec. 19-20
Quarterfinals, Dec. 31-Jan. 1
Semifinals, Jan. 8-9
Where is the 2027 CFP national championship?
Las Vegas.
Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: College Football Playoff national championship game, Indiana vs. Miami: Live updates, score, highlights today
Reporting by Scott Horner, Zach Osterman and Michael Niziolek, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
