In the aftermath of the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 19, 2026, where the Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 to claim their first-ever national title, controversy erupted surrounding Miami’s star defensive end Rueben Bain Jr.
Bain, wearing number 4 (not 70 as sometimes misreported in initial accounts), was involved in heated moments during the contest at Hard Rock Stadium. While no official record confirms the “heaviest penalty in NACC history” (likely a typo for NCAA or CFP tournament), reports and game footage highlighted multiple instances of unsportsmanlike conduct and aggressive play from Miami’s defense.
Early in the game, Miami’s defense faced scrutiny for hits on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner. Defensive back Jakobe Thomas delivered a helmet-to-helmet shot on a read-option play in the first quarter, drawing accusations of a missed targeting or personal foul call. Coach Curt Cignetti criticized officials at halftime for overlooking “obvious personal fouls” on Mendoza.
Bain himself drew penalties, including an offsides call on a third-down play in the first half that extended an Indiana drive, leading to their first touchdown and a 10-0 halftime lead. While Bain excelled with eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack—consistently pressuring Mendoza—his aggression contributed to Miami’s disciplinary issues.
Post-game reports noted no confirmed punch by Bain to Mendoza’s stomach or direct verbal abuse toward a referee late in the first half. However, tensions boiled over, with Miami’s Mark Fletcher Jr. seen throwing a punch at an Indiana player after the final whistle, reportedly following a comment about Fletcher’s late father.
Miami’s penalties plagued them throughout, continuing a trend from earlier playoff games. Bain, an All-American and projected top-15 NFL draft pick, ended his college career without a title but as a key figure in reviving the Hurricanes program.
The incident underscores the intense emotions of championship football, where passion can cross into unsportsmanlike territory, tarnishing an otherwise stellar defensive performance.
