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Instant recap: Indiana 27, Miami (FL) 21

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Instant recap: Indiana 27, Miami (FL) 21

Quick thoughts on IU football’s 27-21 win against Miami (FL) in the CFP national championship at Hard Rock Stadium in front of 67,227 fans:

Key moments in IU’s win

Hoosiers get on the board with a field goal

After a first possession that went nowhere, Indiana’s second drive began just inside its own 30-yard line. After a holding penalty on Khalil Benson on the first play, the Hoosiers got the chains moving. The biggest gain on the drive was a 25-yard completion to Omar Cooper Jr. While the drive stalled deep inside Miami territory, the 12-play, 55-yard drive ended with a Nico Radicic field goal to give IU a 3-0 lead with 2:42 left in the first quarter.

Nowakowski’s 1-yard TD rush gives IU a two-score lead

Indiana’s first touchdown came on its fourth possession and after a third straight three-and-out from the Miami offense. The Hoosiers ate up 6:28 of game clock over 14 plays, going 85 yards and finishing in the end zone with a 1-yard rush from Riley Nowakowski, who was in at fullback. After a successful extra point from Radicic, Indiana’s lead was 10-0.

A key play that kept the drive rolling was a 20-yard run from Kaelon Black on a 3rd and seven from the Miami 43. Black had four carries and 28 rushing yards on the drive.

Miami misses late first-half field goal

The only Miami drive of the first half that showed promise was the final possession of the first half for the Hurricanes. Miami moved the ball from its own 25 deep into IU territory, but stalled out just outside of the 30 and had to settle for a field goal attempt. But Carter Davis’ attempt from 50 yards out hit the right upright, leaving the Hurricanes nothing to show for their nearly six-minute drive and leaving them scoreless at the break. The Indiana defense was dominant in the first half, allowing only 69 yards on 22 plays.

Fletcher’s big run gets Miami back in the game

Indiana managed just one first down on its opening possession of the first half and it came as a result of a face-mask penalty on Armondo Blount on a third-and-long. Following an IU punt, Miami took over at its 38-yard line and two plays later, Mark Fletcher Jr. broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run, cutting into the IU lead and making it a 10-7 game.

Kamara’s punt block changes momentum

In need of a big play after a shaky start to the second half, Indiana got one from Mikail Kamara. On a 4th and one for Miami from its own 16, Kamara blocked Dylan Joyce’s punt attempt into the end zone and Isaiah Jones recovered it for a touchdown with five minutes to go in the third quarter. It was the type of momentum-changing play the Hoosiers have been making all season long.

Miami responds to blocked punt with a touchdown drive

The Hurricanes, down 10, marched right back down the field on their next possession. A 10-play, 81-yard drive was finished by Fletcher Jr., who scored from three yards out to make it Indiana 17, Miami 14 with 14:50 to play.

Mendoza’s quarterback draw on 4th and four gives IU a two-score lead

Indiana converted on two fourth downs on its next drive. On the first conversion, Fernando Mendoza found Charlie Becker for 19 yards on a 4th and five at the Miami 37. Four plays later, on 4th and four from the 12, Mendoza’s quarterback draw ended with the Heisman Trophy winner in the end zone to give Indiana a 24-14 lead with 9:27 to play.

Explosive plays allow Miami strike quickly

The Hurricanes needed less than three minutes to answer Mendoza’s touchdown run. On a 3rd and 15 from its own 15, Carson Beck connected with Alex Bauman for 22 yards and a first down. Beck then found Malachi Toney for a 22-yard gain on the next play for another first down. On 2nd and 10 from the IU 21-yard line, Beck found Toney again, who went 22 yards for a touchdown to make it 24-21 Indiana.

Costly penalty forces field goal for the Hoosiers

Indiana could have finished the game with a first down after it drove deep into Miami territory, but a false start penalty on Carter Smith on 2nd and 1 proved costly. After the Hoosiers could only muster two yards on their next two runs, the Hoosiers had to settle for a field goal to make it 27-21 with 1:42 to play.

Sharpe’s interception seals national championship

Miami had one last chance, taking possession with under two minutes to play from its own 25. The Hurricanes drove into IU territory, but Beck’s pass attempt to Keelan Marion with 48 seconds left was picked off by Jamari Sharpe with 48 seconds left, sealing a national championship for the Hoosiers.

Offensive standouts

Mendoza finished 16-for-27 passing for 186 yards and also rushed for a touchdown.

Kaelon Black had 17 carries for 79 yards and Roman Hemby had 19 carries for 60 yards.

Omar Cooper caught five passes for 71 yards, Charlie Becker had four catches for 65 yards and Elijah Sarratt had catches for 28 yards.

Final IU offensive stats.

Defensive standouts

Louis Moore led IU with seven tackles and also had a pass breakup.

Jamari Sharpe had an interception and finished with six tackles. D’Angelo Ponds had five tackles and three pass breakups.

Aden Fisher had four tackles, including a sack. Mikail Kamara had arguably the biggest defensive play of the game with the blocked punt.

Final IU defensive stats.

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