Fernando Mendoza, Curt Cignetti, Indiana Celebrate CFP Title Win on Campus in Videos, Photos

Fans celebrated Indiana football’s historic championship season on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti and the rest of the Hoosiers were present to celebrate along thousands of fans who showed up en masse despite wind chills that hovered around four degrees.

Mendoza showcased his Heisman Trophy, the first one ever won by a Hoosier. Other trophies the team won this year were also on display.

IU football and men’s basketball radio play-by-play announcer Don Fischer was also recognized.

Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson later took the mic and recounted Cignetti’s reaction when he told him he would be the Hoosiers’ next head coach and that they would “shock the world.”

Cignetti was all smiles despite the weather.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter John Mellencamp also showed up to celebrate.

Indiana’s perfect 16-0 season will go down in history books as one of the greatest (if not the best) campaigns in college football lore, especially given that the Hoosiers once had the most all-time losses in Division I FBS. However, Cignetti isn’t satisfied with one title and has his eyes set on 2026.

IU’s 2026 season begins on Sept. 5 at home against North Texas.