Fernando Mendoza delivered a game-winning play for Indiana football to capture the College Football Playoff national championship over No. 10 Miami with a 12-yard rushing touchdown on a gusty fourth-down call in the fourth quarter.
The quarterback scramble completed a full-circle moment for the projected No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, as he defeated his hometown team in Miami and in a stadium he attended football games as a fan.
"This victory is so sweet for everybody, for the entire Hoosier nation, but also super sweet to myself," Mendoza said to ESPN's Holly Rowe following the Hoosiers' 27-21 win over the Hurricanes on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. "I was a two-star recruit coming out of high school. I got declined to walk-on offer at the University of Miami. Full circle moment here playing in Miami."
The Heisman Trophy winner finished 16-of-37 passing for 186 yards with a rushing touchdown against the Hurricanes' defense.
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