{"id":2544969,"date":"2026-01-20T11:50:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/10-must-see-moments-from-the-college-football-championship\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T11:54:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:54:19","slug":"10-must-see-moments-from-the-college-football-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/10-must-see-moments-from-the-college-football-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Must-See Moments From The College Football Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F10-must-see-moments-from-the-college-football-championship%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2544969&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Indiana completed a historic title run, defeating the Miami Hurricanes in Monday night&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nfl-rookie-ex-alabama-star-shot-multiple-times-in-dc-robbery-attempt\/\" title=\"NFL Rookie, Ex-Alabama Star Shot Multiple ...s In DC Robbery Attempt\">college football championship<\/a> to claim the program&#8217;s first national championship and finish 16-0 &#8211; the first 16-0 champion as Yale in 1894. Key moments included a game-changing blocked Miami punt returned for a touchdown, a gutsy 4th-and-5 quarterback plunge by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, and a last-minute interception thrown by Miami&#8217;s veteran QB Carson Beck. The report highlights public displays of faith from Mendoza and teammates, a raucous crowd reaction when former President Trump was shown during the anthem, and some postgame unsportsmanlike behavior from Miami players. Coach Curt Cignetti&#8217;s leadership and the Mendoza family&#8217;s party were singled out, and the piece argues that NIL money and program realignment show how smaller schools can rise to national prominence.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>For the first time in what felt like a long time, Americans watched a great college football championship face-off on Monday night. The Miami Hurricanes, who weren&rsquo;t even considered playoff contenders by some, put up an impressive fight against the number one-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, but ultimately lost after their star <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MLFootball\/status\/2012678790523093130?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">six-year<\/a> quarterback Carson Beck threw a last-minute interception.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time in Hoosier history, Indiana secured the ultimate college football victory. That feat was due in large part to Curt Cignetti, who took the Hoosiers from their reputation as one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/espn\/status\/2013467364554121690?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&ldquo;losing-est teams in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/coach-gundy-blasts-the-state-of-college-football-quit-calling-us-and-asking-for-more-money\/\" title=\"Coach Gundy Blasts the State of ...: \u2018Quit Calling Us and Asking for More Money\u2019\">college football&#038;rdquo<\/a>;<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Nice_Bison\/status\/2013231442906452329?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a perpetually empty stadium<\/a> to undefeated national football champions. Indiana&rsquo;s win was the first by a 16 and 0 team since <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/story\/_\/id\/47640640\/1894-yale-bulldogs-first-college-football-team-16-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yale&rsquo;s run in 1894<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the top 10 best moments from Monday night&rsquo;s matchup. <\/p>\n<h2>Christ Takes Center Stage<\/h2>\n<p>Moments before kickoff, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, joined by his teammates, bent a knee in prayer in the end zone.<\/p>\n<p>This kind of public invocation was not limited to the Hoosiers or the championship game. <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/09\/02\/jesus-christ-takes-center-stage-during-college-footballs-2025-opening-weekend\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Time<\/a> and time again this season, Mendoza and a handful of other players publicly <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EricLDaugh\/status\/2013610459027411107?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">thanked and glorified God<\/a> before and after they played.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">One very cool thing about College football this year has been how many teams centered Jesus in everything they did. Indiana was a leader in that, and so was their QB Fernando Mendoza. This is the team before they won today. Congrats Indiana! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/PWLvOQ6EyT\">pic.twitter.com\/PWLvOQ6EyT<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/robbystarbuck\/status\/2013468929721594047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>The Crowd Cheers For Trump<\/h2>\n<p>The crowd at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami went wild during the National Anthem when a camera spotted Commander-In-Chief Donald Trump, surrounded by his grandkids, admiring the  American flag covering the football field.<\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<div lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<p>Im in tears. The Crowd goes absolutely wild when they see Trump at the College Football game &#128293; <\/p>\n<p>President Trump is LOVED everywhere <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sEEneFtNku\">pic.twitter.com\/sEEneFtNku<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&mdash; MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MAGAVoice\/status\/2013420264478888303?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>The Punt Block That Changed Everything<\/h2>\n<p>Special teams fly under the radar until they don&rsquo;t, which is exactly what happened with the Hoosiers on Monday night. Indiana&rsquo;s special teams not only blocked a Miami punt in the third quarter, but also recovered the ball for a touchdown. That particular score proved to be essential to Indiana&rsquo;s championship win.<\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<h2>Mendoza Bulldozes His Way To A Touchdown<\/h2>\n<p>A quarterback run on a 4th and 5 when your team is only up by three points is, by all measures, a risky play. Yet, Mendoza delivered a charge through the defense and over the line, breaking five tackles along the way, with the precise skill and coolness that earned him a Heisman.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My offensive linemen blocked perfectly,&rdquo; Mendoza humbly <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CollinRugg\/status\/2013469122760450345?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recalled<\/a> in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lebron-james-responds-to-swedens-zlatan-ibrahimovic-i-will-never-just-stick-to-sports\/\" title=\"LeBron James Responds To Sweden\u2019s Zlatan Ibrahimovic: I Will Never \u2018Just Stick To Sports\u2019\">post-game interview<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<h2>Miami Brings The Heat<\/h2>\n<p>Miami may have lost but the Hurricanes&rsquo; performance can&rsquo;t be completely discounted. Not only did they keep up with Indiana for the majority of the game, but team members like Miami Wide Receiver Malachi Toney clocked an impressive number of catches and yards. <\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<h2>Sore Loser City<\/h2>\n<p>Unfortunately, Miami&rsquo;s impressive field performance was quickly overshadowed by its sore losers who threw punches and refused handshakes after the clock timed out. <\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<div lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<p>Carson Beck walks off the field and skips the handshakes like the game ended on his terms. <\/p>\n<p>That is not fire, that is frustration with nowhere to go. <\/p>\n<p>Win or lose, you face it, you do not sulk your way to the tunnel. <\/p>\n<p>If you cannot handle the ending, were you ever really built&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OktqKRe8de\">pic.twitter.com\/OktqKRe8de<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&mdash; TheCommonVoice (@MaxRumbleX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MaxRumbleX\/status\/2013470925317120324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>Curt Cignetti Cracks A Smile<\/h2>\n<p>The coach famous for his <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JakeCrain_\/status\/2013434377213038953?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sassy sideline stance<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/rodger\/status\/2006846889648701914?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hardened look<\/a> at the camera, and general confidence (<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EBoKnowss\/status\/2013466924244402582?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">It&rsquo;s pretty simple: he wins. Google him<\/a>) couldn&rsquo;t keep up the cool and collected facade when his team crossed the finish line. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We won the national championship at Indiana University,&rdquo; Cignetti said, beaming. &ldquo;It can be done.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SportsCenter\/status\/2013468413104886228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Enjoy that beer, buddy. You earned it. <\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<div lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<p>Curt Cignetti va a sacarle MUCHO dinero a una cervecera por recrear esto en un anuncio. <\/p>\n<p>Sabe lo que est&aacute; haciendo.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XFjI2kLfGb\">pic.twitter.com\/XFjI2kLfGb<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&mdash; Santiago Escamilla Gonz&aacute;lez Arag&oacute;n (@gonzalez_a90127) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/gonzalez_a90127\/status\/2013476485525389622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>The Mendoza Family<\/h2>\n<p>It takes great people to raise great kids, and the Mendoza family&rsquo;s celebration of their son&rsquo;s success is almost as sweet as Indiana&rsquo;s victory itself.<\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Talking to Fernando Mendoza&rsquo;s parents after he won the national championship. Fernando&rsquo;s mom told me she&rsquo;s going to remind Fernando that he&rsquo;s a quarterback not a running back after that fourth down touchdown run. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/a1rkGc1C2i\">pic.twitter.com\/a1rkGc1C2i<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ArashMarkazi\/status\/2013496270036369856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>Bloomington, Indiana Brings The House Down<\/h2>\n<p>There&rsquo;s nothing like homegrown sports, and Bloomington, Indiana went all out to cheer on their team in Miami. When the Hoosiers effectively ended the game with a last-minute interception, the crowds went wild, celebrating the clutch catch.<\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<h2>The Realignment<\/h2>\n<p>One of the best things to come from Monday night wasn&rsquo;t something that could be captured on camera, but it&rsquo;s still worth mentioning. It&rsquo;s the hope that your favorite college football team &mdash; no matter how small and no matter what conference &mdash; can, with some donor money, hard work, and a half-decent coach, also become a national champion.<\/p>\n<p>The NIL system, <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/nil\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">with all of its flaws<\/a>, has turned the sport on its head. The teams, such as Indiana, that take advantage of it will go far.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Jordan Boyd is an <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >award-winning staff writer<\/a> at The Federalist and producer of &ldquo;The Federalist Radio Hour.&rdquo; Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University where she majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow her on X @jordanboydtx.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Miami pushed No.1 Indiana but lost on Beck&#8217;s INT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":490,"featured_media":2544970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-9.19.13-AM-scaled-e1768922473429.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[71501,35616,71502,71504,71503],"class_list":["post-2544969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-championship-highlights","tag-college-football","tag-must-see-moments","tag-ncaa-football","tag-top-plays"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-9.19.13-AM-scaled-e1768922473429.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2544969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/490"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2544969"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2544969\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2544973,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2544969\/revisions\/2544973"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2544970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2544969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2544969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2544969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}