Indiana’s special teams made sure Miami’s trick play never got off the ground in Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship.
The Hoosiers completed a perfect season with a 27-21 win over Miami, becoming the first 16-0 team at the top level of college football in 132 years. While Indiana’s offense and defense grabbed most of the attention, a quiet special teams stop proved just as important.
Nobody noticed Miami’s trick play in real time.
With 6:24 remaining in the third quarter and Indiana holding a 10-7 lead, punter Mitch McCarthy launched a towering 55-yard punt. The kick pinned Miami at its own 4-yard line. Hurricanes returner Malachi Toney managed only a 3-yard return.
That restraint likely saved the game for Indiana.
FOX Sports analyst Geoff Schwartz later pointed out what most viewers missed. The play appeared designed as a trick return with Toney looking to throw downfield if space opened up.
While recording @BearBetsPod today our Miami expert @chrisfallica mentioned he believed the punt Toney fielded near the 5 yard line was a trick play that never materialized. Bear is correct. Look at this thing. Miami would have scored if the punt wasn’t so good. pic.twitter.com/N7yup1pcdr
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 20, 2026
“While recording our podcast today our Miami expert Chris Fallica mentioned he believed the punt Toney fielded near the 5-yard line was a trick play that never materialized. Bear is correct. Look at this thing. Miami would have scored if the punt wasn’t so good.”
McCarthy’s precision eliminated any chance for deception. Miami was forced to play straight offense from deep in its own territory.
The Hurricanes failed to capitalize. Indiana seized momentum from there.
It was a fitting moment for the Hoosiers’ season. The detail-oriented and mistake-free unit answered the call when it mattered most. Indiana didn’t just outscore Miami on a night when championship moments were fought by inches.
The Hoosiers out-executed the Hurricanes, even when nobody noticed.
