It is official. The Indiana Hoosiers are National Champions. Their historic season came to a close Monday night after a gritty 27–21 victory over the Miami Hurricanes. It was nerve racking to watch, especially throughout the fourth quarter, but Indiana climbed the mountain and realized its championship dream. The Hoosiers fought hard every week and finished with a perfect 16–0 record, making them the most recent program to go undefeated in both football and basketball (1975–76 season).
Monday night’s showdown demanded production from all three phases. The offense kept pushing to move the ball and sustain drives, but the defense and special teams delivered when the game begged for answers. No player captured that urgency better than defensive lineman Mikail Kamara, whose tenacity helped carve Hoosier history.
“Like I said earlier, just to be able to do something this crazy, like this is something you write a book about, you write a movie about,” Kamara said postgame. “To do this in real life and do it with these guys that I love, it’s just amazing.”
Kamara has been a force for Indiana ever since transferring from James Madison. The senior defensive lineman has been around Curt Cignetti since 2020. While the two did not always see eye to eye early on, Kamara has grown into a leader and absorbed lessons he plans to take with him on his path to the NFL.
Midway through the third quarter, momentum began to tilt toward Miami. Running back Mark Fletcher burst through the line for a 57–yard touchdown that cut the Hoosier lead to 10–7. Indiana’s offense sputtered during the frame, unable to answer with points of its own. Fortunately for the Hoosiers, a booming punt from Mitch McCarthy pinned the Hurricanes deep, allowing the defense to force a quick stop.
What followed was the play that will forever sit in Indiana lore. On fourth down from Miami’s 16–yard line, Kamara exploded through his gap and got his hands on the punt. Linebacker Isaiah Jones corralled the loose ball in the end zone, stretching Indiana’s lead to 17–7 and igniting the Hoosier sideline.
“Pretty much there’s a punt before we were in defensive safe, and I felt like I was kind of close,” Kamara explained. “So, the second time I’m just going to shoot my shot. And I just watched the ball, got off the ball as fast as I could and shot my shot, and I heard that double thud.”
The play showcased Kamara’s instincts and discipline. Cignetti later revealed that the block was not even called. Indiana had set up for a return, but Kamara recognized his opportunity and took it. The jolt of momentum helped settle the offense and gave Indiana breathing room heading into the fourth quarter. Kamara finished the night with four tackles.
Kamara’s production this season did not mirror his jaw dropping 2024 numbers. He logged 34 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks in 2025 compared to 47 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, and 10.0 sacks the year prior. His move to the Stud position, a hybrid defensive line and linebacker spot, required him to drop into coverage more. Combined with heavier attention from opposing offensive lines, the statistical dip was understandable. What did not change was his relentlessness and ability to pressure the quarterback.
Kamara has played football at nearly every competitive tier and excelled at each one. Whether it was the FCS with James Madison or the College Football Playoff with Indiana, one constant remained. Mikail Kamara found ways to impact games.
“I mean, I’ve played pretty much every single level of football,” Kamara said. “FCS, G5, now here in the Big Ten. Just to really do this with guys like Fisher and all my other teammates that I’ve done this journey alongside of, I didn’t think it was possible, I can’t lie. But to be here today, it’s surreal.”
When Kamara joined Cignetti’s squad, he assumed he would play ball, grow, and make the most of his years in the sport. He never imagined where the path would lead. James Madison moved to the FBS in 2022 and joined the Sun Belt. Even at the Group of Five level, Kamara still dominated. Then, when Cignetti signed with Indiana in late 2023, Kamara followed and thrived yet again. On Monday night, he made one of the biggest plays of his life on the biggest stage imaginable.
Indiana’s season was nothing short of phenomenal. It would not have happened without the relentless work of players, staff, and fans. With the championship now secured, Kamara and several seniors, along with a few early declaring juniors, will soon turn their focus toward the 2026 NFL Combine and Draft. This group is special and their legacy is forever cemented in Indiana University history.