For the first time in the long torturous history that is Indiana football, the Hoosiers played for a National Championship on Monday night, finishing off a perfect 16-0 season with a 27-21 win over the Miami Hurricanes in Miami.
For the second year in a row I kept a minute-by-minute game diary. (I am obligated to give credit to Bill Simmons' Draft Diaries for this idea.)
So without further ado:
7 p.m. ET – Kickoff should be roughly 30 minutes away now and so much of this still feels surreal. If you had told me two years ago that the Indiana Hoosiers would be vying for a championship I would have looked at you as if you had 8 eyes. That being said, in November the idea of Miami in the title game seemed just as unlikely.
7:02 – Per my sources (my friends at the game), the crowd split is roughly 50/50. I suppose it should be no surprise that the Hoosiers have traveled so well but the fact that Miami is playing in their home stadium and won’t have a strong home field advantage is remarkable.
7:06 – I have been nervous prior to every single Playoff game for Indiana. They should win this game in dominating fashion, but I can’t help but worry. Perhaps it's the years of misery that preceded the last two years, nonetheless, I would predict a Hoosiers victory tonight, by a score of 31-17.
7:10 – Miami’s path to beating Indiana is simple: get to Fernando Mendoza with a four-man rush. Reuben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor have the talent to do so, it’s just a matter of if it plays out in practice.
7:11 – Pete Thamel estimates a 60/40 split in favor of Indiana–it seems that my sources were wrong.
7:12 – To me, the biggest difference between Indiana this year and last year (aside from the dominance in the trenches) is how the team carries itself. Last year Curt Cignetti injected his team with the bravado it needed, albeit a false bravado at times. This year, the team possesses a silent swagger. They went from the boisterous young cowboy entering a wild west saloon to the silent, Clint Eastwood character waiting patiently in the corner.
7:17 – Whatever lab cooked up Mendoza’s personality must have taken equal parts Kirk Cousins and Tim Tebow.
7:20 – Marcus Freeman is excellent on TV, I cannot overstate this. (He also has the straightest hairline in all of college football.)
7:22 – An under the radar matchup I’m eagerly anticipating is Malachi Toney vs. the Indiana DBs. How well will one of the best young offensive playmakers in the country get separation from one of the nation's best secondaries.
7:25 – I will now submit my predictions for crew picks: Desmond loves to zag so he’ll go with the Canes, Saban will go with the Hoosiers, Pat is a homer so Indiana is a no-brainer, and Freeman will still with his fellow Hoosiers and pick Indiana.
7:30 – Wow, I could not have been more wrong. I should have known Saban would feel threatened by Cignetti being on his corner but I’m shocked by Freeman.
7:31 – The biggest scourge facing college sports is not NIL or the transfer portal, it is incorrect start times. This “7:30” game should kick off at 7:30, not 7:50. If the kickoff is at 7:50 then list the start time as 7:50. This is a hill I am willing to die on.
7:32 – There is no better voice in college football than Chris Fowler.
7:45 – I’m not sure I’ve ever been more excited for a football game.
7:50 – It’s always fun to see honorary Miami cheerleader Michael Irvin.
7:50 – Hoosiers win the coin toss, hopefully this is some sort of omen.
7:51 – Cignetti almost looked happy in that interview.
7:52 – WE ARE OFFICIALLY AWAY!
7:53 – Miami’s return was… meh? Perhaps a sign of things to come?
7:53 – I can’t say I loved the sloppy tacking on the first play.
7:54 – There’s the first Toney appearance of the game, Isaiah Jones is good, but not THAT good.
7:55 – Miami’s first third down will be a third and long, I would assume Bryant Haines brings a lot of pressure here… he does not, but the Hoosiers force a shallow throw and there’s the sound tackling we’ve seen throughout the season.
8:00 – Mendoza now gets his first chance in this game… and it’s an RPO to Omar Cooper Jr. Cooper is essentially a running back in the open field, he’s so hard to bring down.
8:01 – Indiana cannot get behind the sticks, Mendoza’s one weakness has been dealing with pressure at times this year, they cannot get stuck in these pass-heavy scenarios.
8:02 – On cue, Miami gets pressure with four rushers, THIS IS HOW THEY WIN.
8:03 – Death, taxes, and Miami penalties.
8:08 – Mario Landino has been remarkable in Stephen Daly’s absence, there has been zero drop-off.
8:08 – Hoosiers force a 3-and-out. On the first two third downs Indiana has not brought pressure, forcing Carson Beck to beat them–which really says a lot of how the Hoosiers coaching staff view Beck’s talent.
8:10 – I’m surprised that Indiana isn’t leaning more on the run to start off here, it’s puzzling, especially considering how much pressure Miami is already putting on Mendoza.
8:11 – Once again, Cooper sheds tacklers, there may not be a better Hoosier in open space.
8:12 – Man, I love the way Kaelon Black runs. I’ve made this comparison before, but he reminds me of the energizer bunny.
8:13 – A pre-snap penalty for the Hoosiers, I can only imagine Cignetti’s internal monologue. (I assume not much of it is PG.)
8:15 – Indiana is relying heavily on the quick passes to the boundaries off RPOs, Miami doesn't have an answer so far.
8:16 – I held my breath as Mendoza got annihilated there. I wonder if he even knows he's in Miami right now.
8:17 – Mendoza took another massive shot, and now has a bloody lip, and of course he follows it up with a QB draw. I can’t really describe the level of mental toughness he has.
8:18 – The Hoosier’s impressive drive will have to settle for 3, and it’s Miami’s depleted secondary that steps up.
8:20 – My phone is blowing up with people talking about the hit on Mendoza. Was it a dirty hit? Yeah, probably, but you’re playing Miami, this should be expected.
8:21 – I’m slouched on the couch getting ads about posture-correcting chairs–it feels a bit targeted.
8:23 – Perhaps I was wrong about start times being the biggest issue in college football. This is an irresponsible commercial to game ratio.
8:26 – Rolijah Hardy got UP to deflect that.
8:27 – Two straight pass deflections for Indiana… which leads to a Miami third-and-long… which leads to an Aiden Fisher sack via simulated pressure from coach Haines. This is textbook Indiana defense.
8:30 – That was an ugly drive for Indiana, like a toddler eating spaghetti gross.
8:32 – How does one choose to create a specific commercial just for the CFP National Championship? Think about it, why wouldn’t you just wait to show one at the Super Bowl? I get the money aspect of it, but still. It leads to a wave of second-rate ads that weren’t good enough for a multi-million dollar Super Bowl slot.
8:35 – I can’t explain it but Shannon Dawson looks remarkably similar to a thinner John Goodman.
8:36 – Miami gets stumped again on third down. Mikail Kamara is playing like a man possessed.
8:38 – I’ve watched more AT&T ads than I have plays.
8:40 – Indiana needs an Indiana drive to put some distance between them and the Canes.
8:41 – An easy first down throw to Elijah Sarratt is just what the doctor ordered.
8:42 – I love this Indiana team, there may not be a player I love more than Riley Nowakowski–that guy is the definition of a football player. Does the dirty work, doesn’t drop passes, fights for extra yards.
8:44 – It’s another third down for Indiana in an obvious passing situation… which leads to a defensive pass interference call, and frankly it’s been a long time coming. The Miami DBs have not been shy about making contact.
8:45 – The running game just hasn’t been there for Indiana tonight. They get the occasional 7-8 yard plays but can’t string together any sense of consistency.
8:50 – There’s the chunk running play for Indiana–what a great play call from Mike Shanahan to call an inside run on a third and long to combat the rush.
8:52 – CHARLIE BECKER MUSCLES IT IN FOR six… or maybe he stepped out early. Kirk Herbstreit is exactly right: I have no idea what these Miami defensive backs are doing. They’re tackling with wet noodle arms and are generously giving Indiana wide receivers MILES of room.
8:54 – I don’t blame Cignetti for his arched eyebrow, the Hoosiers need a touchdown here.
8:59 – MY BOY! NOWAKOWSKI! Indiana finally punches it in to cap off that commanding drive. I said Indiana needed an Indiana drive and they got it. Side note: is there anything better in life than an offensive lineman in motion?
9:01 – As it stands, Indiana should be leading by much more than 10, this is domination, despite the close score.
9:03 – Indiana stonewalls Miami AGAIN… Miami more or less has to go for it aaaaaaaand it is Miami first down by the slimmest of margins.
9:04 – Beck finally finds someone down the field. I know momentum isn’t real but Miami needed that first down so desperately and maybe there’s some life.
9:09 – Miami–whose offense moves like it has cement in its shoes–now needs to go 40 yards in two minutes, which I doubt is likely.
9:11 – This is a weak, pathetic showing from Mario Cristobal. You’re settling for a field goal? You’re admitting that you can’t move the ball on the Indiana defense?
9:12 – Funny how the football gods work huh? Playing scared never won anyone games.
9:14 – I’m not exactly sure what Cignetti’s thought process was there. You run the ball, then waste the clock, then get it to midfield? I don’t understand the idea here.
9:15 – Well, Indiana’s hail mary attempt falls incomplete and the Hoosiers take a 10-0 lead into the half. Indiana feels like they are in firm control.
9:16 – “We gotta play Hurricane football” - Mario Cristobal. What exactly does that entail Coach?
9:34 – I’ve had enough of these commercials, I’m not sure I can last through another half of this. (Also, why are there still Christmas ads?? We’re nearly a month out.)
9:39 – A touchdown here doesn’t seal it for the Hoosiers but it does make me feel a whole lot more comfortable.
9:40 – Mendoza goes down as Mesidor gets home. For me, it’s the way his eyes drop a bit when he senses the pressure that gets Mendoza and the Hoosiers in trouble.
9:41 – Brutal, brutal, brutal penalty for Miami. They are reaching Wile E Coyote levels of self-destruction here.
9:43 – Third and long, does Miami bring pressure? No, but Bain beats Carter Smith to get the sack for Miami so the Indiana offense will leave the field. There needs to be some sort of change to make Mendoza’s life easier, he can’t keep getting blown up, play after play.
9:48 – If Miami wants to win this game (or at least get on the board) they need this drive to be successful.
9:48 – As I say that Fletcher runs away from the Hoosier defense and scampers into the endzone. Hello Miami, welcome to the party.
9:53 – Indiana hasn’t been in a close game since the Big Ten Championship, they need to reach back to close this one out.
9:54 – A strong Roman Hemby run is a good start… followed by another 5 yards.
9:55 – I can’t believe what I just watched, Sarratt dropped what was an easy catch and more importantly an easy first down.
9:58 – It’s been three minutes… HOW DID HE DROP THAT???
9:58 – I’m making this known now: I’m very nervous, I don’t like how this is shaping up.
10:00 – Now that’s more like it, there was no movement from the line there, Landino held strong.
10:01 – Third and long, Beck now has to make a play–something he hasn’t really done yet… and he forced it into a tight window: incomplete. Beck has been the limiting factor all night long.
10:02 – Indiana gets good field positioning here, you have to think that Shanahan puts the ball in Mendoza’s hands.
10:03 – Mesidor, AGAIN gets a sack. The right tackle position has been weak all game for Indiana. Miami’s edge rushers have been stuffing the Indiana tackles into lockers this quarter.
10:04 – It's third and 12, my money is on a sack or incompletion… the latter was correct. How can that not be called defensive pass interference? The jersey grab is a dead giveaway.
10:05 – Excellent punt coverage from Devan Boykin. Toney has yet to make a big play today, mostly because the Hoosiers have corralled him so well.
10:08 – This game is being played on Miami’s terms–it’s disjointed and ugly, Indiana is playing to Miami’s inherent strengths.
10:09 – Beck is walking a very fiiiiiiiine line, Jones nearly picked that off.
10:10 – Miami is 0/8 on third down after that failed conversion. They have been hilariously inept, they’re continuing to put the square peg into the round hole.
10:11 – BLOCKED PUNT, BLOCKED PUNT, BLOCKED PUNT. JONES JUMPS ON IT IN THE ENDZONE! I JUST LEAPT OUT OF MY SEAT!
10:12 – Indiana needed this so much, like the way plants need water.
10:13 – I know that I said momentum doesn’t really exist, but I might be sorely mistaken. This game feels different.
10:14 – Is Fletcher running outside the tackles the most unstoppable play in college football?
10:15 – OH BOY, PONDS LIT ALEX BAUMAN UP! Indiana’s defense is back to their violent, heat-seeking tackling.
10:16 – Beck pulls a rabbit out of his hat and finds CJ Daniels, they finally convert a third down.
10:17 – And there’s the big Toney play. Indiana's defense has been excellent in the red zone all year but they need to play their best right now.
10:21 – I feel a deep and overwhelming sense of dread coming over me as we start the fourth quarter.
10:22 – Fletcher walks into the endzone… I think that dread is materializing in front of my eyes.
10:24 – It’s about time that the Heisman winner starts playing like it this drive.
10:25 – I hate that ESPN keeps showing that Miami has five national championships to Indiana’s zero–no need to rub it in guys.
10:26 – Kaelon Black must have had a good breakfast this morning.
10:27 – Mendoza telegraphed that one a bit too much, that should have been a pick-six.
10:27 – There we go, there we go, a few first downs, this is feeling a lot more like the normal Indiana. Now perhaps a deep shot to Becker?
10:29 – It’s a cliche, but this is a gargantuan third down for Indiana… wow, another missed defensive pass interference, just a killer.
10:30 – Indiana is all out of sorts on this fourth down and needs to call a timeout. I can feel this game slipping through my fingers like sand.
10:33 – Offense stays out there, I’m scared… WHO ELSE BUT CHARLIE BECKER! WHAT A BEAUTY! WE ARE SO BACK!
10:35 – All I want is a no-nonsense end to this drive, just score a touchdown… please.
10:35 – Oh no, not another third down… nada–I’m not sure my heart can take this.
10:36 – Cignettie uses another timeout? I can’t say I’ve been a fan of this level of clock management. I think Indiana should just take the points here, not the time to play around.
10:37 – Offense remains on the field, oh boy… MENDOZA DOES IT ALL BY HIMSELF! HE GOES SUPERMAN! MY HEART LIVES ANOTHER DAY!
10:40 – My blood pressure must look like a soaring stock.
10:42 – Mendoza has never been a graceful runner (he doesn’t cut, he leans) but sometimes good enough gets it done.
10:43 – Now Miami is backed further up after the penalty on the kickoff, this is the time to end it.
10:45 – I’m not sure what supernatural forces Miami is in communication with but they may have officially gained immortality.
10:46 – No bigger third down for Miami than this… and they have a false start–Miami is gonna Miami.
10:47 – This needs to be it, Indiana needs the stop… but Beck finds Bauman for the first.
10:47 – Toney again… he cannot be left alone in space, he's like a dog that can’t be caught when it gets out of the house.
10:49 – Toney scores. Man. Well, Mendoza will need to be called on at least one more time tonight.
10:53 – Mendoza has been great all season in the fourth quarter–Indiana needs just a little more magic.
10:55 – Third down, oh boy… Shanahan draws up another great play, a short throw to Cooper who gets past the sticks.
10:56 – Black is eating tackles, he needs to be given the ball.
10:57 – Third and 7 my heart is once again doing numbers.
10:58 – CHARLIE BECKER: CONTESTED CATCH SPECIALIST
10:59 – Superb block by Omar Cooper Jr, contact is never the enemy.
11:00 – It’s the two-minute warning, two minutes, that’s all that separates Indiana and a national championship.
11:02 – Hemby gets nine off the jump, this is where you want to be.
11:04 – All Indiana needs is a first down, but there’s a false start from Carter Smith, K-I-L-L-E-R
11:05 – Oh no, oh no, oh no. Third and 5 for the game.
11:07 – Black is well short of the line to gain. Field goal it is for Indiana.
11:08 – Nico Radicic is pure on the field goal, now it’s the defense's time.
11:09 – Never, in all my life, did I think I would be watching Indiana up six in the national championship game with 1:42 left. This is both a dream come true and a nightmare if Indiana doesn’t win this.
11:10 – A delay of game to start the drive bodes well for Indiana.
11:11 – Tyrique Tucker gets after Beck and forces him to toss it away–no better time than now to get after the quarterback.
11:12 – Not the time for a roughing the passer call. After being so sound all year, Indiana is making uncharacteristic errors.
11:13 – Miami is moving the ball, just chunk after chunk, Indiana now calls a timeout. Studies should be done on my blood pressure.
11:15 – PICKED OFF BY JAMARI SHARPE!!!!!! THE HOOSIERS ARE GONNA DO IT!!!!
11:16 – I’m floating currently, I can’t believe this is happening.
11:17 – Indiana is officially a national champion, I can die happy.
11:30 – I’m not sure that I knew Indiana had a football team before I was 8 years old. It’s not like we weren’t an Indiana family, my parents were both alumni. They were so irrelevant that they didn’t warrant any attention. When I started watching games I was effectively warned by my dad that there was no point to be an Indiana football fan, that you never would win anything, that you would only experience losses and pain. He wasn’t wrong, for a long time I watched a lot of Indiana teams almost beat ranked teams. When I would go to games I was more interested in the football fields behind the goalposts (now that’s a real test of Indiana fandom). Now, it’s a little different. I still can’t believe it.
11:35 – I just hope Lee Corso is somewhere out there smiling, saying “Not so fast” to the members of the Gameday crew that picked Miami.
11:40 – I’m not sure I’ll ever stop smiling.
