Claiming a Championship

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help secure a victory against Miami during the College Football National Championship. Indiana went on to win over Miami 27-21, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Tom Russo | For The Republic

Tom Russo, photographer for the Greenfield Daily Reporter, a sister newspaper of The Republic, was in Miami for Monday night’s College Football Playoff Championship and gathered these photos.