Indiana's Fernando Mendoza reflects on incredible diving TD: 'I'd die for my team'

President Donald Trump sits with Ivanka and Kai at the college football national championship. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)

Fernando Mendoza called his shot in front of his friends and family in the biggest moment of his collegiate career as he helped the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship.

Mendoza took the snap on 4th-and-5 and ran it up the gut. He bounced off a few Miami Hurricanes defenders, leaped from the 2-yard line and stretched out his hands to put the ball over the goal line while getting battered as he fell into the end zone.

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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers dives for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Indiana went up 24-14 with 9:18 left in the game and the Hoosiers won the game, 27-21.

"That’s one thing about our team," Mendoza told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. "We’re always going to put it all on the line. I want to give all the glory and thanks to God. My offensive linemen blocked perfectly and we were able to execute as a team toward a common goal. Have the Indiana Hoosier synergy to score and to give our team a chance to win the game.

INDIANA'S CURT CIGNETTI COMPLAINS ABOUT LACK OF CALLS AGAINST MIAMI DURING HALFTIME OF NATIONAL TITLE GAME

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)

"I had to go airborne. I’d die for my team.