Indiana fans erupted in excitement as they celebrated the Hoosiers’ undefeated season, capped by the program’s first-ever national championship.
A massive horde of Hoosiers fans flooded Kirkwood Avenue near Indiana University in downtown Bloomington, climbing trees, light poles, and hanging off rooftops to celebrate the school’s 27–21 national championship win over the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday.
The celebration turned even more chaotic when some fans lit a small fire in the street, prompting firefighters to move in and extinguish the flames.
The Bloomington Police Department eventually cleared the street and shut down the celebratory mayhem early Tuesday morning.
Aside from a few falls from trees and some torn-down street signs, the celebration remained peaceful, with no violence or broken windows, police told the IndyStar Tuesday morning.
Outside Indiana, New York City showed the Hoosiers some love by lighting up the Empire State Building in red and white following the biggest night in Indiana football history.
With the national championship win, Indiana capped a perfect season to claim its first title and become the sport’s first 16–0 team in more than a century.
Indiana led 10–0 at halftime, but it didn’t feel that close.
The Hoosiers more than doubled up the Hurricanes in total yards (169–69), first downs (11–3), and rushing yards (50–23).
Miami had just one play of more than 10 yards — a 25-yard completion from Carson Beck to CJ Daniels.
The victory was made even sweeter when Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza powered through tackles, bounced off multiple defenders, and leaped into the end zone on a gutsy 12-yard, fourth-down run early in the fourth quarter.
Miami mounted a late surge to cut the lead to three, fueled by Mark Fletcher Jr. and a tackle-breaking 22-yard touchdown from Malachi Toney.
But Curt Cignetti’s Indiana offense responded right back.
On the next possession, Mendoza delivered clutch third-down strikes to Omar Cooper Jr. and Charlie Becker, allowing the Hoosiers to chew up the clock and extend the lead to six with a field goal.
Miami had one final opportunity late in the 27–21 game, but Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck’s interception by Jamari Sharpe with 44 seconds left allowed Indiana to run out the clock and cement the Hoosiers as national champions.
“Let me tell you: We won the national championship at Indiana University,” Cignetti said. “It can be done.”
“I think we sent a message, first of all, to society that if you keep your nose to the grindstone, work hard, and you’ve got the right people, anything is possible,” he later added.
with Post wires
