Miami hurricanes football vs Indiana hoosiers football match player stats

The miami hurricanes football vs indiana hoosiers football match player stats from the January 20, 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship tell a clear story about how Indiana secured a 27-21 victory. The Hoosiers finished the season unbeaten at 16-0, while Miami ended 13-3. Although Miami produced strong individual performances, particularly from Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney, Indiana’s combination of defensive plays, special teams production, field-goal accuracy, and balanced rushing attack helped decide the championship.

This was not simply a game where the final score explained everything. The individual numbers show several important contrasts. Miami gained more through its passing game, produced a standout rushing performance from Fletcher, and recorded more total tackles. Indiana, however, avoided turnovers, generated an interception, scored through its defense and special teams, and converted both of its field-goal attempts.

For anyone studying the miami hurricanes football vs indiana hoosiers football match player stats, the most useful approach is to look beyond passing yards and rushing touchdowns. The complete statistical picture shows how individual contributions combined to produce Indiana’s unbeaten championship season.

Table of Contents

Miami Hurricanes Football vs Indiana Hoosiers Football Match Player Stats

The championship finished with Indiana ahead 27-21. Miami entered the game with a 13-3 record, including a perfect 4-0 mark away from home. Indiana arrived at 15-0 and protected its perfect season with a 6-0 home record.

Team	Final Score	Record	Home/Away Record
Miami Hurricanes	21	13-3	4-0 Away
Indiana Hoosiers	27	16-0	6-0 Home

The six-point margin makes the contest appear relatively close. The underlying numbers make it even more interesting.

Miami had the more productive individual passing performance in terms of yardage. Carson Beck completed 19 of 32 passes for 232 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt, with one touchdown and one interception.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 16 of 27 attempts for 186 yards. He averaged 6.9 yards per attempt and did not throw a touchdown or interception.

The quarterback numbers are particularly useful because they show that Indiana did not need a huge passing performance to win. Mendoza’s efficiency was enough when combined with the team’s rushing production and defensive and special teams contributions.

Carson Beck’s Passing Performance

Carson Beck was one of Miami’s most important statistical contributors.

His final passing line was:

19 completions
32 attempts
232 passing yards
7.3 yards per attempt
1 passing touchdown
1 interception
86.2 QBR

A completion rate can be calculated from those numbers at approximately 59.4 percent. Beck also averaged roughly 12.2 yards per completion.

The 232 passing yards represented Miami’s biggest source of offensive yardage in the available team statistics. The Hurricanes finished with 232 receiving yards as well, matching the passing total.

The interception mattered because Indiana’s defensive production included one interception by Jamari Sharpe. In a championship game decided by six points, a turnover can have a disproportionate effect because it removes an offensive possession while potentially creating an opportunity for the opposing offense.

Beck still delivered a touchdown pass and generated enough yardage to keep Miami competitive. His 86.2 QBR also indicates that his overall quarterback evaluation was respectable despite the interception.

The important point is that Miami’s passing production was not the problem by itself. The larger issue was how that production compared with Indiana’s ability to create points through multiple phases of the game.

Fernando Mendoza’s Efficient Approach

Fernando Mendoza produced fewer passing yards than Beck, but his performance was notable for avoiding turnovers.

Mendoza finished with:

16 completions
27 attempts
186 yards
6.9 yards per attempt
0 touchdowns
0 interceptions
90.6 QBR

His completion rate was approximately 59.3 percent, almost identical to Beck’s rate.

That comparison is important. Neither quarterback completed an exceptionally high percentage of passes, but Mendoza’s clean turnover sheet gave Indiana an important advantage.

Mendoza also produced the higher QBR in the supplied statistics, 90.6 compared with Beck’s 86.2.

This illustrates why quarterback evaluation cannot be reduced to passing yards. Beck threw for 46 more yards and had the only passing touchdown between the two quarterbacks, yet Mendoza’s error-free performance supported a winning team effort.

Mark Fletcher Jr. Was Miami’s Biggest Rushing Threat

Mark Fletcher Jr. delivered the standout rushing performance for Miami.

He carried the ball 17 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns. His average was 6.6 yards per carry, and his longest run covered 57 yards.

That 57-yard run was especially significant because it represented more than half of his total rushing production in a single play.

Fletcher’s numbers also stand out when compared with Miami’s team rushing figures. The Hurricanes recorded 21 rushing attempts for 110 yards, meaning Fletcher accounted for nearly all of the team’s reported rushing yardage.

In fact, his 112 individual rushing yards were slightly higher than the listed Miami team total of 110 yards. That apparent difference is worth treating carefully rather than trying to force the numbers into a false explanation. Team rushing statistics can be affected by how individual plays, including quarterback plays or losses, are recorded in official statistical systems.

The key takeaway remains clear: Fletcher was Miami’s most productive runner and provided two rushing touchdowns.

His 6.6-yard average showed that Miami could create explosive plays on the ground. His longest run also demonstrated the threat of a big-play offense.

Indiana’s Rushing Attack Took a Different Shape

Indiana recorded 45 rushing attempts for 131 yards, averaging 2.9 yards per carry, with two rushing touchdowns.

Kaelon Black led the Hoosiers with:

17 rushing attempts
79 rushing yards
4.6 yards per carry
0 touchdowns
20-yard longest run

Black’s performance was much less explosive than Fletcher’s, but Indiana’s larger rushing volume provided a different kind of offensive value.

The Hoosiers attempted more than twice as many rushes as Miami according to the supplied team totals. That difference matters because repeated rushing attempts can help control possession, maintain offensive balance, and reduce the pressure placed on the quarterback.

Indiana did not need Black to produce a 50-yard run. Instead, the team relied on volume and complementary production.

This is one of the clearest lessons from the miami hurricanes football vs indiana hoosiers football match player stats. Explosive individual production and sustained team production are not always the same thing.

Miami had the more spectacular rushing individual performance. Indiana had the greater rushing volume.

Receiving Numbers Reveal Miami’s Passing Advantage

Miami’s receiving statistics were led by Malachi Toney.

Toney caught 10 passes for 122 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per reception. He also scored one receiving touchdown and recorded a 41-yard longest reception.

His 10 receptions represented more than half of Miami’s listed 19 team receptions.

Miami’s complete receiving total was:

19 receptions
232 receiving yards
12.2 yards per reception
1 touchdown
41-yard longest reception

Toney therefore accounted for approximately 52.6 percent of Miami’s receptions and about 52.6 percent of the team’s receiving yards.

That level of concentration is significant. It shows that Miami had a clearly defined primary receiving target who could consistently move the ball.

Toney also handled Miami’s punt-return responsibilities, giving him an impact across both offense and special teams.

Omar Cooper Jr. Led Indiana’s Receivers

Omar Cooper Jr. was Indiana’s leading receiver.

He finished with:

5 receptions
71 receiving yards
14.2 yards per reception
0 touchdowns
25-yard longest reception

Indiana’s team receiving total was 16 receptions for 186 yards, averaging 11.6 yards per reception.

Cooper’s 71 yards accounted for approximately 38.2 percent of Indiana’s receiving production.

The contrast with Miami is notable. Toney produced more receptions and yards than Cooper, and Miami’s receiving attack generated more total yardage.

Yet Indiana still won because its offense was not dependent on winning the receiving statistics.

That is an important distinction when analyzing championship football. A team can lose the receiving-yardage comparison while winning the game if it compensates through rushing, field position, defensive scoring, turnovers, and kicking.

Defensive Statistics Changed the Shape of the Game

Miami recorded 67 total tackles, including 43 solo tackles. The Hurricanes also had three sacks, six tackles for loss, and four passes defended.

Miami’s defensive numbers show an active unit that created pressure and consistently finished plays.

Mohamed Toure led Miami with 11 tackles, including six solo tackles. He also recorded one pass defended.

Indiana recorded 49 total tackles and 33 solo tackles, with one sack, one tackle for loss, and seven passes defended.

Louis Moore led the Hoosiers with seven tackles and four solo tackles. He also recorded one pass defended.

The tackle totals should not be interpreted as a simple measure of defensive superiority. A team that spends more time defending can accumulate more tackles. Likewise, a high tackle total does not necessarily mean a defense controlled the game.

More revealing are the turnovers and scoring plays.

Miami did not record an interception.

Indiana recorded one interception, credited to Jamari Sharpe. The interception produced zero return yards and no defensive touchdown.

That single takeaway still mattered because it gave Indiana a possession-changing defensive play.

Indiana’s Defensive Score Added a Major Dimension

One of the most unusual elements in the supplied statistics is Indiana’s defensive scoring total.

Indiana recorded one defensive touchdown.

The team also had seven passes defended, compared with four for Miami.

The defensive touchdown is crucial when analyzing the final 27-21 score because it means Indiana’s 27 points were not generated solely by its offensive unit.

That changes how the scoreboard should be interpreted.

A football team’s final score is a combination of offensive touchdowns, field goals, extra points, and potentially defensive or special teams scores. Indiana’s statistical profile demonstrates that the Hoosiers were able to generate points outside conventional offensive possessions.

For Miami, this meant its offense had to compensate for points Indiana generated through another phase of the game.

The Turnover Battle Favored Indiana

The supplied statistics show no fumbles for either team.

Miami:

0 fumbles
0 interceptions created

Indiana:

0 fumbles
1 interception created

This gives Indiana the advantage in the recorded turnover battle.

Neither side lost a fumble, so the difference came from interceptions.

Beck threw one interception, while Mendoza threw none.

For a six-point championship result, that is a meaningful statistical difference. Indiana protected its quarterback’s mistakes while capitalizing on one Miami passing error.

Turnovers also influence field position and momentum. Even when an interception does not produce immediate points, it can remove a potential scoring drive and give the defense a psychological boost.

Special Teams Were More Important Than They Look

Special teams are often overlooked when people search for player statistics, but the championship numbers show why they deserve close attention.

Miami’s kicking statistics:

Carter Davis: 0-for-1 field goals
Extra points: 3-for-3
Total kicking points: 3

Indiana’s kicking statistics:

Nico Radicic: 2-for-2 field goals
Longest field goal: 35 yards
Extra points: 3-for-3
Total kicking points: 9

Radicic converted every field-goal attempt, while Davis missed his only attempt.

That represents a six-point difference in kicking points alone.

Interestingly, the final margin was also six points.

That does not mean the entire game was decided by field goals, because Indiana also benefited from other scoring sources. But the kicking contrast is impossible to ignore.

Indiana’s ability to turn field-goal opportunities into points provided a level of reliability Miami did not match.

Kick Returns Gave Miami Useful Field Position

Miami recorded four kick returns for 79 yards, averaging 19.8 yards per return.

Keelan Marion led the Hurricanes with:

3 returns
65 yards
21.7 yards per return
27-yard longest return

Miami did not record a kick-return touchdown.

Indiana recorded no kick returns in the supplied statistics.

The difference here does not necessarily mean Miami won special teams overall. It simply shows that Miami had more recorded kick-return opportunities and gained useful yardage from them.

Marion’s 21.7-yard average on three returns was one of Miami’s better special teams individual figures.

Punt Returns Added Another Indiana Advantage

Miami returned four punts for 25 yards.

Malachi Toney handled all four returns, averaging 6.3 yards per return with an 18-yard longest return.

Indiana had one punt return for 16 yards according to the supplied team statistics.

The listed Indiana punt returner was Mikail Kamara, with:

1 return
16 yards
16.0-yard average
16-yard longest return
0 touchdowns

Although the supplied team-level line contains a separate indication of a punt-return touchdown, the player-level entry for Kamara lists zero touchdowns. Because these figures conflict, the safest interpretation is to avoid assigning that touchdown directly to Kamara without a verified official play-by-play record.

This is exactly the kind of discrepancy that responsible statistical analysis should identify rather than quietly convert into a definitive claim.

Punting Showed Strong Field-Position Work

Miami punted six times for 234 yards, averaging 39.0 yards per punt.

The listed Miami punting leader, Dylan Joyce, recorded:

5 punts
234 yards
46.8 yards per punt
2 inside the 20
54-yard longest punt

Indiana punted five times for 241 yards, averaging 48.2 yards per punt.

Mitch McCarthy handled all five listed Indiana punts:

5 punts
241 yards
48.2-yard average
2 inside the 20
55-yard longest punt

The punting numbers show an interesting contrast.

Miami had more punts, while Indiana had the better average and slightly longer maximum.

Both teams placed two punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

That suggests both punters contributed to field-position management, but Indiana’s 48.2-yard average was considerably higher than Miami’s listed team average of 39.0 yards.

Why the Six-Point Margin Matters

Indiana won 27-21, a six-point margin.

A six-point result is close enough that individual plays can have an outsized effect.

The statistics point toward several areas that likely mattered most:

Indiana committed no recorded interceptions.
Miami threw one interception.
Indiana made both field goals.
Miami missed its only field-goal attempt.
Miami’s rushing attack had an explosive leader in Fletcher.
Indiana ran the ball much more frequently.
Indiana generated a defensive touchdown.
Miami produced more passing and receiving yardage.
Indiana finished the season unbeaten.

The important analytical point is that Indiana did not dominate every statistical category.

Instead, it won through a combination of smaller advantages.

That is often what separates championship teams from teams with strong individual statistics.

Comparing the Quarterbacks Side by Side

Statistic	Carson Beck	Fernando Mendoza
Completions	19	16
Attempts	32	27
Passing Yards	232	186
Yards Per Attempt	7.3	6.9
Passing TDs	1	0
Interceptions	1	0
QBR	86.2	90.6

Beck led in completions, attempts, passing yards, yards per attempt, and passing touchdowns.

Mendoza led in QBR and, most importantly, avoided an interception.

This is a good example of why box-score analysis should consider efficiency and mistakes alongside raw yardage.

Miami’s quarterback generated more production through the air, but Indiana’s quarterback protected the football better.

Comparing the Leading Rushers

Statistic	Mark Fletcher Jr.	Kaelon Black
Carries	17	17
Rushing Yards	112	79
Average	6.6	4.6
Rushing TDs	2	0
Longest Run	57	20

Fletcher clearly won the individual rushing comparison.

Both players carried the ball 17 times, but Fletcher gained 33 more yards and scored two touchdowns.

The major difference was explosiveness.

Fletcher’s 57-yard run dwarfed Black’s 20-yard longest carry.

Yet Indiana’s team rushing total was 131 yards on 45 attempts, compared with Miami’s listed 110 yards on 21 attempts.

That demonstrates an important football concept: individual efficiency does not always translate directly into team rushing dominance.

Comparing the Leading Receivers

Statistic	Malachi Toney	Omar Cooper Jr.
Receptions	10	5
Receiving Yards	122	71
Average	12.2	14.2
Touchdowns	1	0
Longest Reception	41	25

Toney was the more productive receiver by total output.

He caught twice as many passes as Cooper and gained 51 more receiving yards.

Cooper, however, averaged more yards per reception.

The numbers therefore tell two different stories. Miami had the higher-volume receiving threat, while Indiana’s leading receiver was more efficient on each catch.

The Defensive Leaders

Mohamed Toure led Miami with 11 tackles, six of them solo.

Louis Moore led Indiana with seven tackles, four solo.

Defensive Statistic	Miami	Indiana
Total Tackles	67	49
Solo Tackles	43	33
Sacks	3	1
Tackles for Loss	6	1
Passes Defended	4	7
Interceptions	0	1
Defensive TDs	0	1

Miami had stronger numbers in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss.

Indiana had the advantage in passes defended, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns.

This is another example of why a simple statistical category count can be misleading.

Miami’s defense appeared more disruptive in the backfield, while Indiana produced the more consequential scoring and turnover events.

What the Full Statistical Picture Says

The miami hurricanes football vs indiana hoosiers football match player stats show two teams with very different paths to offensive production.

Miami relied heavily on explosive individual plays.

Fletcher’s 57-yard run and two rushing touchdowns gave the Hurricanes a major ground threat. Toney added 122 receiving yards and a touchdown. Beck threw for 232 yards.

Indiana’s approach was more distributed.

Mendoza avoided turnovers. Black led a larger rushing workload. Cooper contributed 71 receiving yards. Radicic converted both field goals. The defense generated an interception and a defensive touchdown.

This balance is one of the strongest explanations for Indiana’s championship result.

Miami produced some of the game’s most impressive individual offensive numbers.

Indiana produced more ways to score and more ways to influence the outcome.

Statistical Lessons From the Championship

Several broader lessons emerge from the numbers.

Yardage Does Not Automatically Win Games

Miami’s passing production was stronger, and its leading running back had a spectacular performance.

Yet Indiana won.

This shows why total yardage and individual statistics must be interpreted in context.

Turnover Avoidance Is Valuable

Mendoza did not throw an interception.

Beck threw one.

With the final margin at six points, protecting possessions was highly valuable.

Field Goals Can Become Game-Deciding Points

Indiana went 2-for-2 on field goals.

Miami went 0-for-1.

The difference was six points.

That is the same as Indiana’s final winning margin.

Again, the game cannot be reduced entirely to this statistic, but it illustrates how important accurate kicking can become in a championship.

Special Teams Should Not Be Ignored

Punting, kick returns, punt returns, and field goals all contributed to the overall field-position battle.

A team does not need a return touchdown to benefit from special teams. Consistent punting and reliable kicking can quietly influence an entire game.

Individual Excellence and Team Balance Are Different

Fletcher and Toney produced standout numbers for Miami.

Indiana had fewer spectacular individual offensive statistics but received meaningful contributions from offense, defense, and special teams.

That balance proved decisive.

How to Read These Player Statistics Correctly

When researching championship player statistics, start with the basic box score, but do not stop there.

A useful process is:

Check the final score.
Compare quarterback efficiency.
Identify turnovers.
Examine rushing volume and efficiency.
Identify the leading receivers.
Review defensive disruption.
Check kicking accuracy.
Examine punting and return statistics.
Look for defensive or special teams touchdowns.
Compare individual production with team-level totals.

This approach prevents one standout number from dominating the entire analysis.

For example, seeing Fletcher’s 112 rushing yards might lead someone to conclude that Miami dominated the ground game. Looking at the full team rushing numbers reveals that Indiana attempted far more rushes and finished with 131 listed rushing yards.

Likewise, seeing Beck’s 232 passing yards might suggest a clear quarterback advantage. Mendoza’s zero-interception performance and higher listed QBR provide important context.

Data Accuracy Matters When Analyzing Box Scores

A trustworthy sports article should distinguish between clear statistics and numbers that appear inconsistent.

The supplied data contains one notable discrepancy involving Indiana’s punt-return touchdown information. The team-level statistics indicate a touchdown in the punt-return category, while the player-level entry for Mikail Kamara lists zero touchdowns.

Rather than choosing one figure without qualification, responsible analysis should flag the conflict.

This is especially important for articles built around player statistics. A reader searching for a specific player’s performance deserves accurate information, not an assumption made simply to make the numbers appear consistent.

The same principle applies to Miami’s rushing figures, where Fletcher’s individual 112 yards slightly exceed the listed team rushing total of 110 yards.

These differences are reasons to consult the official game book or authoritative statistical record when producing a final archival database entry.

Most Important Players From the Game

Several players stand out based strictly on the supplied statistics.

Miami Hurricanes

Carson Beck: 232 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Mark Fletcher Jr.: 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

Malachi Toney: 122 receiving yards and one touchdown on 10 receptions.

Mohamed Toure: 11 total tackles and six solo tackles.

Keelan Marion: 65 kick-return yards on three returns.

Dylan Joyce: 234 punting yards on five listed punts.

Indiana Hoosiers

Fernando Mendoza: 186 passing yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Kaelon Black: 79 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Omar Cooper Jr.: 71 receiving yards on five receptions.

Louis Moore: Seven tackles and four solo tackles.

Jamari Sharpe: One interception.

Nico Radicic: Two successful field goals and three successful extra points.

Mitch McCarthy: 241 punting yards on five punts.

These performances demonstrate how many different players can influence a championship outcome.

Why Indiana Finished as the Unbeaten Champion

The final record is perhaps the most important piece of context.

Indiana finished 16-0.

Miami finished 13-3.

The championship therefore completed an undefeated season for Indiana.

The statistics from this game support the idea that Indiana’s strength was not based on one overwhelming individual performance. Instead, the Hoosiers combined adequate quarterback play, substantial rushing volume, reliable kicking, defensive impact, and clean ball security.

Miami had the stronger statistical stars in several offensive categories, but Indiana’s overall distribution of production proved more effective.

That distinction is especially useful for readers who want to understand why a team can lose despite having players who lead individual statistical categories.

Final Statistical Takeaway

The miami hurricanes football vs indiana hoosiers football match player stats present a championship defined by contrast.

Miami produced 232 passing yards, led by Beck, while Toney topped the receiving statistics with 122 yards. Fletcher was the game’s standout runner for Miami, rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Indiana’s Mendoza threw for 186 yards without an interception. Black supplied 79 rushing yards, while Cooper led the receiving group with 71 yards. The Hoosiers also received major contributions from their defense and special teams.

Indiana’s two successful field goals compared with Miami’s missed attempt. Indiana recorded the only interception, and the supplied statistics also credit the Hoosiers with a defensive touchdown.

The result was a 27-21 Indiana victory and a 16-0 finish to the season.

The deeper lesson is that championship football is rarely explained by one statistical category. Passing, rushing, turnovers, defensive pressure, kicking, punting, field position, and scoring plays all interact. Miami produced several excellent individual performances, but Indiana assembled enough advantages across the entire game to remain unbeaten.

FAQs

What was the final score between Miami and Indiana?

Indiana defeated Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20, 2026.

Who was Miami’s leading rusher?

Mark Fletcher Jr. led Miami with 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

Who led Miami in receiving?

Malachi Toney led Miami with 10 receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown.

How did Carson Beck perform?

Carson Beck completed 19 of 32 passes for 232 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

How did Fernando Mendoza perform?

Fernando Mendoza completed 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards without a touchdown or interception.

Who won the national championship?

Indiana won the championship 27-21 and finished the season with a 16-0 record.

Conclusion

The statistical record of the championship shows why the 27-21 result cannot be explained by passing yards alone. Miami received outstanding individual performances from Mark Fletcher Jr., Malachi Toney, and Carson Beck. Indiana countered with clean quarterback play from Fernando Mendoza, a high-volume rushing attack, reliable kicking from Nico Radicic, and decisive defensive production.

The most important numbers are therefore the ones that connect individual performances to the final result. Miami’s explosive plays kept the game competitive, while Indiana’s ability to avoid an interception, create a takeaway, convert field goals, and generate points beyond its conventional offensive production gave the Hoosiers the edge.

Indiana’s 16-0 record ultimately provides the strongest context. The championship was the final confirmation of an unbeaten season, while Miami’s 13-3 campaign ended with a six-point defeat in the title game.

For readers studying player performance, the game is a useful reminder that the best statistical analysis looks at the complete picture rather than selecting one impressive number. The combination of efficiency, volume, turnovers, scoring opportunities, defensive plays, and special teams execution provides a much clearer explanation of why Indiana finished on top.