"The Indiana Hoosiers took one last stroll from Assembly Hall to Memorial Stadium on Saturday, waving to the crowd, signing autographs and trading fist bumps with the fans who lined the way. Then the Hoosiers walked onto their home field for the first time as national champions. This was a scene even the most loyal Indiana fans couldn't have fathomed when Curt Cignetti was hired to coach major college football's losingest program in 2023."
""From the bottom of my heart, thank you Hoosier Nation," Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza said just before the 35-minute ceremony ended with players, coaches and fans singing the school's fight song together. "Playing here has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Thank you so much and again, myself, my teammates are forever indebted to you guys. God bless. Go Hoosiers!""
"Heisman Trophy Trust chief executive officer Jeff Price brought the trophy that will stay on campus permanently. University president Pam Whitten promised students at the half-filled stadium this wouldn't be their last football championship. Some of the team's seniors even helped local native John Mellencamp belt out "Hurts So Good" before, naturally, hearing "We Are The Champions" blaring across the public address system."
Indiana Hoosiers players and staff marched from Assembly Hall to Memorial Stadium, greeting fans, signing autographs and trading fist bumps before entering their home field as national champions. Curt Cignetti transformed a previously losing program hired in 2023 into a championship team in just over two years. The celebration featured folding chairs on the field, trophies across the dais, presentations, and a 35-minute ceremony that ended with players, coaches and fans singing the fight song. Heisman-winner Fernando Mendoza thanked Hoosier Nation and a Heisman trophy will remain on campus. University president Pam Whitten pledged more championships. The outdoor celebration faced freezing temperatures and heavy snow forecasts.
Read at ESPN.com
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