Fernando Mendoza Wins 2026 College Football National Championship Offensive MVP

Fernando Mendoza added one last piece of hardware to his unbelievable 2025 season, taking home the College Football Playoff National Championship Offensive Player of the Game award following Indiana's 27-21 win over Miami on Monday night.

The Heisman Trophy winner capped off Indiana's perfect 16-0 season by throwing for 186 yards and rushing for a score. While Miami's defense kept him rather subdued through the air, at least by his own lofty standards, he provided the signature play of Indiana's win with his epic fourth-down, fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Mikail Kamara—who blocked a Miami punt in the third quarter that was recovered by Isaiah Jones for a touchdown—was named the Defensive Player of the Game.

But Mendoza will of course be the story after his magical and much-decorated season. The Heisman Trophy winner made a number of clutch throws down the stretch, torching Miami on several back-shoulder fades while Indiana's receivers made contested catch after contested catch.

He discussed winning the national championship after the game with a run that included wins over Ohio State, Oregon, Miami and more.

While Mendoza's future remains up in the air, it's hard to imagine he won't be off to the NFL at this point. He'll be the prohibitive favorite to be the top overall pick, currently held by the Las Vegas Raiders.

But either way, he and head coach Curt Cignetti just authored one of the most magical, surprising and utterly improbable seasons in college football history.