Refs Missed Obvious Targeting Against Miami During Big Hit On Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza In National Championship Game

ESPN

Refs missed a big play during the national championship game.

In the first quarter, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza got drilled in the head in the backfield after a fake handoff.

how is this not a penalty?

late hit on the QB after he hands off pic.twitter.com/nuWcW8P4dq

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 20, 2026

Here’s another angle on the hit on Mendoza.

Was this hit on Mendoza targeting? pic.twitter.com/EHybEGUVN0

— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) January 20, 2026

NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay believed targeting should have been called on the play.

Via Terry McAulay/ NBC

“This is a targeting foul. The QB clearly no longer has the ball, which is obvious to the defender, making him defenseless. There is forcible contact to the head/neck area and it’s with the crown of the helmet. It violates both targeting rules.”

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti complained about the lack of calls from refs during halftime.

“There’s three personal fouls on the quarterback not called in one drive,” Cignetti said. “They need to be called because they’re obvious personal fouls. I’m all for letting them play, but when you cross the line, you gotta call it. They were black and white calls.”