The Miami Hurricanes saw their chances of winning a national championship come to a heartbreaking end in the closing minute of Monday night's title game when Carson Beck's final pass was intercepted by Indiana's Jamari Sharpe.
The Hoosiers were able to survive the late scare and get the 27-21 win to complete their undefeated season with their first-ever national title.
The Hurricanes then had to watch the Hoosiers celebrate on the field in Miami and things got a bit heated as their star running back, Mark Fletcher, was seen throwing a punch at Indiana's Tyrique Tucker.
Fletcher was then held back and by an assistant coach who was able to deescalate the situation.
Here's that heated postgame moment with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt breaking it down:
Miami's Mark Fletcher Jr. and Indiana's Tyrique Tucker had to be separated after the CFP National Championship game. pic.twitter.com/pXja5LtGt8
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
Fletcher had a huge game for the Hurricanes, rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns. We don't know what was said that sparked that postgame scuffle but thankfully it didn't get too out of control.
Tucker had this to say about the incident, via The Indianapolis Star.
"I was just trying to congratulate him on the game. He tried to sneak me, everybody kind of held me back. That was a cheap punch, luckily we got the win, I'm not really too worried about it. He's salty, he going home with the L."
Fletcher was later seen sharing a nice moment with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.
Total class act. Mark Fletcher comes to find Fernando post game. He stood and waited a long time. Fletcher ran his heart out. I truly LOVE that kid. So excited he is back for @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/pyq8PDcMg2
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) January 20, 2026
Miami had a heck of a run in the playoffs after barely beating out Notre Dame to get in. The Hurricanes opened with a win at Texas A&M and then beat Ohio State and Ole Miss in a pair of thrilling games. The Hurricanes gave Indiana quite a scare Monday night in Miami before falling just short.
More College Football on Sports Illustrated
- Legendary Indiana Radio Voice Calls National Title-Clinching Interception
- Indiana Fans Serenade Hoosiers With Moving 'Fernando' Rendition After CFP Win
- SEC Now Riding Longest National Championship Drought in Decades
- Fernando Mendoza's Mom Had Funny Line About Her Son’s Legendary TD Run vs. Miami
- Indiana’s 16-0 Season Could Not Be More Unexpected Considering Program's History
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Miami's Mark Fletcher Seen Throwing a Punch at Indiana Player in Postgame Scuffle.
