From the Couch Sports

#1 Indiana 27 #10 Miami 21

Well, it finally happened. The CFB National Championship Game arrived on our TV screens after a LONG, LONG week (and change) without college football. The semi-final games were played on January 8th and 9th, much of the conversation prior to kickoff exposed the ridiculousness of the CFB schedule. The regular season ended in late-November, the CFP First Round games were a month ago, and it seemed like putting this game on a Monday diminished the significance of this game especially after an insane weekend of NFL Playoff games.

In my opinion, the CFB season should not wrap up this late and next season it will wrap up even later. Sheesh.

Indiana came into the game boasting a perfect 15-0 record. They were the Big 10 Champs and had just come off two playoff wins. A dismantling of Alabama in the Rose Bowl and a win of pure dominance against Oregon in the Peach Bowl. They were the favorite by over a touchdown against a Miami team that squeaked into the CFP after a 10-2 season. A Miami team that needed a late goal-line stand against Texas A&M to beat the Aggies in the First Round, they took care of Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, but nervously beat Ole Miss in the closing minutes of the semi-final game thanks to a heroic last minute scramble by QB Carson Beck.

Not quite David vs. Goliath but pretty damn close in terms of this season. However, in terms of the history of college football, this was David vs. Goliath.

Indiana is the program in college football with the most losses of all-time, they’ve been a doormat of the Big 10 and hadn’t won 10 games in a season until last year when Curt Cignetti’s first season coaching IU shocked the world. Coming into this game, Indiana had only won 5 bowl games ever, with 2 of them this season. Things have turned around so fast in year 2 for Curt Cignetti but that still doesn’t bury their miserable history.

On the other hand, the Miami Hurricanes have won 5 national titles, had multiple Heisman winners, first-round draft picks, and legendary teams. Their run in the 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s redefined the program and the sport. They haven’t had a season like this since 2002 but many people believe “The U” is back. What a better place to win your first title since 2001 and officially claim you’re “back” than in your home stadium in the National Title.

Indiana fans traveled well, crowding Hard Rock Stadium and creating an atmosphere that seemed like a significant advantage for the Hoosiers. There was a lot of red in the stands, not a good start for the home team Hurricanes.

They did start the game out well though with a quick 9-yard run followed by a first down pass, but that would be all they’d get on the first drive. The Canes punted a few plays later.

The punt pinned the Hoosiers at their own 5 yard-line but Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza threw a quick 11-yard pass for an Indiana first down. Just like Miami, they punted a few plays later.

The National Championship Game started with back-to-back punts, then a third after a quick Miami three and out. Would this game be a defensive battle?

On Indiana’s second drive they hurt themselves with a holding penalty on the first play, but Mendoza threw a strike on 1st & 20 to Omar Cooper Jr. who weaved his way through the Miami defense for 25 yards. The Hurricanes made things difficult for Mendoza delivering blow after blow but the Hoosier offense marched down the field. On first down from the Miami 20, Mendoza handed the ball off but was absolutely CRUSHED as he carried out his fake. A statement hit from the Miami defense that should’ve been a personal foul penalty and possibly a targeting penalty. The hit was late, dirty, and forced a bloody lip. No flag thrown. Despite that, Mendoza got back up and Indiana ended the drive with the game’s opening score, a field goal.

3-0 Indiana with 2:42 in the 1st quarter.

Then there were three more punts, both defenses came to play.

The Hoosiers would break through again. Mendoza stayed patient, delivering accurate passes as he took advantage of a strong running game too . Miami’s defense was worn out, the Hoosiers would convert a huge 3rd & 8 by running the football right up the middle. Indiana looked like they had the first touchdown of the game after a gritty run after catch by Charlie Becker but he was ruled out of bounds at the Miami 5-yard line. On 3rd & goal from the 1, Indiana would rely on an old school fullback dive for the first touchdown of the game. A grind it out, tough, textbook Midwest scoring drive that put Indiana ahead 10-0 with 6:13 left in the 2nd quarter.

Miami needed a response and they needed one fast. Their offense had run 14 plays with just one first down. Indiana was playing tight coverage and had shut down the Miami run game, winning in the trenches. Then the Canes found a groove. They converted a huge 4th & 1 and Carson Beck connected on few big throws to set up a field goal attempt. Miami kicker Carter Davis trotted out for the 50-yard attempt. He crushed it, but as the ball traveled it kept inching right before it clanged off the right upright. Miami had seen this before, their missed field goals almost cost them the game in Kyle Field a month ago and this missed field goal in the National Championship Game was a huge blow they would have to endure again.

The Hoosiers had the ball before halftime but a last second Hail Mary heave fell harmlessly to the ground.

Indiana lead 10-0 at the half. They took advantage of a strong run defense and a dominating advantage in time of possession. The first half was won in the trenches. Miami had just 69 yards and zero points, the same amounts they had at the end of the first half against Texas A&M. Indiana had two offensive drives of over six minutes but had just 10 points to show for it, their fewest first half points since their Big 10 Title Game against Ohio State.

Indiana started with the ball in the second half but quickly went three and out, not so fast. They ran the ball on 3rd & 17 after Mendoza was sacked on 2nd down. The run gained just five yards but a face-mask penalty awarded them a free first down. Miami could not afford to continue to beat themselves. They got it together though a few plays later when Rueben Bain Jr. sacked Mendoza on a 3rd & 9.

Back to the punt fest?

Nope.

Malachi Toney had a great 18-yard punt return then caught a quick 5-yard pass and on Miami’s second play of the 3rd quarter, they finally broke through. Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr. took a quick handoff and ran to the right side of the defense, he brushed off an arm tackle and turned on the after burners. No one would catch up to his blazing speed and he raced to the end-zone for a Miami touchdown. Finally, the Canes fans had something to cheer about, the orange and white woke up and exploded as Fletcher put the Canes on the board.

Fletcher had literally carried his team to this point and it was special to see him make an impact on the biggest stage.

Ok, now punt fest.

Both defenses made statement stops, with 5:09 to go in the 3rd, Miami was punting again. Pinned at his own goal line Miami punter Dylan Joyce faced minimal rush, and rolled right after catching the snap. Indiana defensive end Mikail Kamara forced his way closer and closer to Joyce and put his left hand up, he BLOCKED the punt! The ball bounced around and the Hoosiers pounced on the ball in the end-zone for a GAME-CHANGING touchdown. Thanks to an incredible display of individual strength and athleticism by Indiana, Miami trailed by 10 points once again.

Now Miami really needed a response. Quick pass then a 10-yard run. Ok, nice. First down Canes. An incompletion and a quick run put the Hurricanes in another 3rd down situation. They had been 0/8 to this point but never say never. Carson Beck dropped back to pass and bought some time, he moved around waiting and waiting for someone to get open down the field. Finally, he let it rip. WR CJ Daniels had some space in the middle of the field and caught the pass for a 24-yard gain. Then, Malachi Toney would take a screen pass 22-yards to set up another Mark Fletcher Jr. touchdown run as the fourth quarter opened.

Miami had their response. They could’ve quit, they could’ve let Indiana take control, but on their home turf they had to score and they did.

This is the point in the game where big players need to step up, especially Heisman winners and Fernando Mendoza was ready to show the world why he won college football’s most coveted award.

Indiana opened their next drive with a 13-yard run on first down. After a risky throw that fell incomplete, the Hoosiers had another chunk play on a screen pass. Mendoza’s earlier close call and missed throw on a crucial 3rd down didn’t rattle him. The Hoosiers went for it on 4th down at the Miami 37-yard line. Mendoza took the snap, looked left and threw it all the way across the field to his right. Charlie Becker was locked down in man coverage but quickly turned around and reeled in the perfect back shoulder throw. Indiana loves that play and they called it at the perfect time for a gutsy, much-needed drive extension. A few plays later, they’d need another 4th down conversion. Cignetti called a timeout, what would the Hoosiers do, what would they call in this massive moment?

On 4th & 4 from the Miami 12-yard line, Fernando Mendoza was about to do something that will be played on repeat in Bloomington, Indiana for centuries. He caught the shotgun snap, looked to pass then quickly tucked the ball in his left arm. His running back laid a good lead block down the field but as that happened a Miami defensive lineman shed the block from an IU o-lineman at the line of scrimmage, Mendoza saw him and juked out of the way, he ran past outstretched arms and crossed the first down line but he wasn’t done there. With two defenders in his way, he lowered his shoulder and collided with them, he appeared to fall but he kept his balance and spun out of the tackle, from the 2-yard line he secured the ball with both hands and dove into the end-zone for an unbelievable, incredible score. Watching that play unfold felt like a movie, he just wouldn’t go down. The way he willed himself into the end zone was Tim Tebow-esque and donning the #15 I had flashes of 2008.

The Heisman winner had his moment, the Hoosiers coaching staff put the ball in his hands and he delivered. Indiana again lead by 10 points, 24-14.

It felt like the game could’ve ended with that play but there was still a whopping 9:18 left. Game not over yet.

Miami down, but not out. Again they wouldn’t help themselves as a holding penalty on the kickoff return pinned them inside their own 10. A quick first down made up for the lost yards. Beck almost connected on a deep ball on 2nd down but after a false start on 3rd & 10, Miami’s backs were against the wall. On 3rd & 15, Carson Beck stood tall in the pocket and zoomed one in a tight window to an open receiver. Miami first down. Again, Carson Beck threw an accurate ball, a crossing route to Malachi Toney. Toney turned up field and gained 41 yards. The most dynamic player on the field finally got an opportunity to showcase his athleticism. Two plays later, he’d get another chance. Carson Beck motioned him across the field, he caught the snap and tossed it quickly to Toney on the quick pass. Toney sped out wide and juked a defender, he broke a tackle and spun into the end-zone. Just like that Miami had put the pressure back on the Hoosiers offense. The quick score was the exact response the Hurricanes needed to keep this one tight.

Indiana ball with 6:38.

The Hoosiers took their time with a few runs then converted a third down. Clock ticking away. Miami’s defense held strong and forced another 3rd down. I sound like a broken record so I can only imagine how Curt Cignetti felt as he called yet another back shoulder pass to Charlie Becker. Mendzoza again placed it perfectly, his throw found his most reliable target. Becker’s catch was even more spectacular than his back shoulder catch on the previous drive. The defender was ALL over him and at the last second he freed both hands and secured the catch as he fell down. Indiana had another conversion. Right before the (worthless) two-minute timeout, an Indiana run by Roman Hemby gave them another first down.

Indiana looked like they were going to ice the game, their first down run went 8 yards.They needed TWO more yards. One more first down would essentially end the game and complete the greatest turnaround in sports history.

Unfortunately for Indiana it was their turn to beat themselves. Miami had a few mental errors in the game and now it was an uncharacteristic false start by Indiana that would give the Canes some hope. Instead of 2nd & 2, it was now 2nd & 7. Two conservative run plays wasted Miami’s timeouts but the Canes would have one more chance with the ball.

After an Indiana field goal made it 27-21, Miami would have the football with 1:42 needing a touchdown and an extra point to go ahead.

Zero timeouts. Hurricane ball at their own 25.

On the first play, they failed to get the snap off in time as they struggled to get the play-call in. The majority Indiana crowd had most likely caused this blunder. Not ideal, not what should happen in a “home” game. The next play Beck essentially threw it away to avoid a sack. 2nd & 15. Beck incompletion. 3rd &… oh wait, flag on the field. As Beck released the ball, he was hit by an IU defender, it may have been a little late, looked bang-bang, but nonetheless a roughing the passer was called and awarded Miami a first down. I just found it strange he would get that call in that situation, when it wasn’t dirty and the refs had let Miami tee off on Mendoza late with much dirtier hits than that hit on Beck. Such is football.

Miami definitely caught a break and used it to their advantage. Beck quickly connected on his next three passes, the Canes were sitting pretty with plenty of time as they pushed into Indiana territory.

Curt Cignetti and his team needed a re-group and he used his last timeout with 51 seconds left.

1st & 10, ball at the Indiana 47-yard line.

Carson Beck back to pass, he looked left and threw a perfect spiral, ball sailing through the air. It looked good, it looked great. As the camera panned left, you could clearly see the ball was under-thrown or just maybe just under-cut by the trailing corner. Indiana corner Jamari Sharp high-pointed the ball and secured the game-sealing, title-clinching interception.

Beck’s pass was thrown into an area with a trailing, but close enough cornerback who had safety help over the top. Beck had options underneath but forced one into double coverage. He paid the ultimate price for his mistake.

Indiana ran out the clock a few plays later and sealed their first ever National Championship. A perfect 16-0 season. The first 16-0 season in college football since the Yale Bulldogs accomplished that feat in 1894.

The greatest turnaround in college football history, capped off with a perfect season. What a game, what a way to do it.

This game had everything. Good defense, physical plays, explosive plays, special teams moments, and an all-around primetime performance by a Heisman winning quarterback.

Fernando Mendoza finished the game with 186 yards passing but his clutch back shoulder throws and wild 12-yard run made the difference for Indiana. Mendoza was pressured and hit all game but he never gave up and lead the Indiana offense in more ways than just numbers or stats showed. The two Indiana running backs Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby, combined for 36 carries and 139 yards. WR’s Charlie Becker and Omar Cooper Jr. had some incredible receptions and the Indiana’s defense challenged the Hurricanes physicality.

Miami had some big time runs from Mark Fletcher Jr. who finished with 112 yards and 2 TD’s while Malachi Toney caught 10 passes for 122 yards and a score. Carson Beck had some great throws and stood tall in the pocket on multiple occasions as he finished with 232 yards, but his costly interception will overshadow his otherwise strong performance. Miami’s pass rush duo of Akeem Messidor and Rueben Bain Jr. combined for the three Miami sacks.

Miami finished just 3/11 on third down while Indiana was 6/16. Shockingly though, both teams were converted their 4th down conversions.

In the end it was Miami’s slow start and miscues that cost them the game. Miami had some crucial penalties and the missed field goal really came back to bite them. Indiana’s blocked punt added to the rough day for Miami’s special teams.

Overall, this National Title Game put the stamp on yet another exciting college football season and proved why we all love the sport. The emotions, determination, and underdog mentality of Indiana propelled them to one of the most unlikely title wins in American sports history.