The Indiana Hoosiers have shocked the football world, as they bring home their first ever National Championship victory. This past Monday, Indiana kicked off against Miami, marking the second most viewed college football game ever. Their victory has forever changed the way programs will go about building rosters and has brought light to the end of the tunnel for many lower level college football programs.
Recap
The first quarter was a back and forth defensive battle between two of the country’s best defenses. Indiana star defensive back D’Angelo Ponds set the tone early with hard hitting tackles on the edges. Indiana’s defense put the Miami offense at a standstill as they were unable to pick up a first down on any of their third down attempts in the first half. After one quarter, the Hoosiers held on to a 3-0 lead.
The second quarter was much of the same with only one real productive drive from either team. Indiana marched down the field with the help of multiple 4th down conversions and key rushes from running backs Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby. Finally, the drive ended with a one yard rushing touchdown from fullback Riley Nowakoski. Miami’s Carson Beck continued to struggle in the second quarter, but was lifted up by his defensive line.
The third quarter is when the Miami offense woke up. Star running back Mark Fletcher Jr. broke free early in the third quarter for a 57 yard touchdown run.
Hingham High School Senior Andrew Sullivan said, “Fletcher reached another gear in that second half. He put the offense on his back and made it a game again. Full credit goes to him for keeping the Hurricanes in this game.”
Miami had regained momentum with their defense now stacking stops against Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. Despite the momentum, Miami made a key special teams mistake allowing a punt block for an Indiana touchdown from Isaiah Jones. Entering the final quarter of the game, Miami was down 10 (17-7) looking for one last push.
The fourth quarter was the highest scoring of any with 24 total points being scored. Miami striked first in the final quarter with a 10 play, 81 yard drive resulting in another touchdown from Fletcher Jr.
Indiana responds with possibly the drive of the game. Once again, Indiana relied on multiple fourth down conversions including one on 4th and 5 from the 12 yard line. With the game on the line Indiana chooses to run a quarterback draw with Mendoza who breaks two tackles and dives for the endzone while enduring a hard hit to his back. This touchdown gave Indiana a 24-14 lead which put the game away.
Miami found the end zone one more time while Indiana kicked one more field goal leading to a 27-21 lead with just 1:42 remaining. Miami began putting together one final tough drive, but it came to an abrupt end with an interception from Jamari Sharpe to seal the game for good.
Legacy
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti changed Hoosier football forever. Just two short years ago, the Hoosiers went 3-9 and were seen as one of the worst power 5 teams in college football.
Hingham High School junior JT Reale says, “I remember when Hoosier football was an eye sore. I’m happy to see them figure it out with a great head coach.”
Indiana decided to bring in former JMU head coach Curt Cignetti who showed how it’s possible to build a program without spending the most money. Indiana lands outside of the top ten in NIL yet managed to build a championship roster. In the new era of the transfer portal, Cignetti demonstrated how if done correctly, any program can bring themselves to the top.
