MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night. The Hoosiers toppled Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title. The Heisman Trophy winner finished with 186 yards passing, but it was his tackle-breaking, sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 left that defined this game. Mendoza’s TD gave turnaround artist Curt Cignetti’s team a 10-point lead — barely enough breathing room to hold off a frenzied charge by the hard-hitting Hurricanes.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Curt Cignetti came to Indiana to win championships. The old-school, blunt-spoken coach who began his Hoosiers tenure with a promise to bring swift success to the losingest program in college football completed his masterpiece on Monday night. Cignetti guided Indiana to a 27-21 win over the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff final and the first national championship in school history. The Hoosiers finished off an undefeated campaign in front of 67,227 fans at Hard Rock Stadium, concluding one of the most surprising turnarounds in college football history.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have agreed to hire Robert Saleh as their coach, hoping he can speed up their rebuild and end the franchise’s skid of four straight losing seasons. A person familiar with the decision confirmed it to The Associated Press on Monday night, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. Saleh spent this season as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, his second stint in that job after spending three-plus seasons as coach of the New York Jets. He did not have a winning season with the Jets and was fired after a 2-3 start in 2024, going 20-36 overall.
MIAMI (AP) — Fernando Mendoza's historic season has ended with a national title. He didn't have his best statistical game, but delivered when it mattered. Mendoza completed 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards and ran for a touchdown. His rushing score came after the Hurricanes cut the deficit to three points. In the fourth quarter, Mendoza led a crucial 12-play, 75-yard drive, converting two fourth downs, including a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Coach Curt Cignetti said the play was specifically designed for this game. Mendoza's performance helped Indiana secure its first national title. Raiders owner Mark Davis and Tom Brady were in attendance.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami's football team faces big changes next season with a new quarterback, new starters on both lines, and a new kicker. However, Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney will return as offensive leaders. On Monday night, they combined for three touchdowns in Miami's 27-21 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff championship game. Fletcher finished the season with 1,192 rushing yards, while Toney had 108 catches. Both are local talents with compelling stories that resonate with fans. Despite the loss, their performances highlight their potential to lead Miami next season.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have fired coach Sean McDermott after the team again failed to reach the Super Bowl in his nine seasons. The move came two days after the Bills were eliminated in a heart-wrenching 33-30 overtime loss at Denver in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Bills went 12-5 in the regular season and had their five-year run atop the AFC East end. McDermott transformed the franchise into a perennial winner, but was knocked for failing to make a Super Bowl appearance. Buffalo became the NFL’s first team to win a playoff round in six consecutive years but not reach the Super Bowl.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins hired former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their head coach on Monday. The moved ends a swift search for a coach who will be tasked with turning around a losing franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game in 25 years. Hafley replaces Mike McDaniel, who was fired earlier this month after going 35-33 in four seasons. The Dolphins also fired longtime general manager Chris Grier during the season. Hafley met with the Dolphins for a second interview earlier Monday before he was offered the job. He will rejoin new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan in Miami.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Warriors star Jimmy Butler was helped off the court with a right knee injury at the 7:41 mark of the third quarter against his former Miami team. Butler was hurt after catching a pass in the paint and going down hard and awkwardly after a collision with the Heat's Davion Mitchell. Butler grimaced and grabbed at his knee while down for a couple of minutes. He needed teammates Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield to escort him off the court and to the locker room after the fall. He is scheduled for an MRI exam and the team didn't plan an update until Tuesday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Center fielders Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones appear on track to gain election to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. As of Monday evening, Beltrán had been picked on 89.2% of ballots revealed early on Ryan Thibodaux’s online vote-tracker, while Jones was at 83%, both surpassing the 75% needed for induction. Beltrán, in his fourth ballot appearance, has steadily increased his support since 2023. Jones, on his ninth ballot, has also seen significant growth since his first appearance in 2018. If elected, they would be inducted on July 26 alongside second baseman Jeff Kent. Other candidates like Chase Utley and Félix Hernández seem likely to fall short this year.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Jannik Sinner has started his Australian Open campaign with a win after Hugo Gaston retired from their match. Sinner was leading 6-2, 6-1 when Gaston withdrew. Sinner is aiming to become the fourth player to win three consecutive men's titles at the Australian Open. Madison Keys has also advanced after overcoming a tough start against Oleksandra Oliynykova. Keys trailed 4-0 in the first set but rallied to win 7-6, 6-1. In other matches, Ben Shelton defeated Ugo Humbert and Lorenzo Musetti advanced after Raphael Collignon retired.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Carolina 2 Buffalo 1
Final Colorado 5 Washington 2
Final Pittsburgh 6 Seattle 3
Final San Jose 4 Florida 1
Final Minnesota 6 Toronto 3
Final Philadelphia 2 Vegas 1
Final Chicago 2 Winnipeg 0
Final OT New Jersey 2 Calgary 1
Final N-Y Islanders 4 Vancouver 3
Final Anaheim 5 N-Y Rangers 3
TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Final (1)Indiana 27 (10)Miami 21