The 27-21 victory by the Indiana Hoosiers over Miami in the National Championship was far more than a simple trophy presentation, it was a soul-cleansing moment for the entire state of Indiana. After 127 years of history, the Hoosiers didn’t just win their first title, they became the first team to finish a season 16-0, defying the 100-to-1 preseason odds that labeled them the most improbable champions of the century. Putting the “Hoosier State” back on the map was a necessity after a 2025 calendar year that put local Indiana sports fans through an emotional meat grinder, filled with historic peaks and devastating, injury-riddled valleys in professional sports.

Caitlin Clark flashes her blessed arm proving she can match Fernando Mendoza on a touchdown throw

Caitlin Clark Reminds the World her Elite Arm Just Like Fernando Mendoza

At the heart of Indiana’s miracle run was Heisman winnerFernando Mendoza. The quarterback’s rise to legendary status in Bloomington saw him surpass almost every other name in college football, including hyped prospects like Texas’ Arch Manning, and briefly even challenged Caitlin Clark as the most popular athlete in the state. With Mendoza now projected as the number one overall pick for the Las Vegas Raiders, he will be the first Hoosier to go first overall since 1938.

However, Clark is quickly reminding everyone that “The King” of Indiana sports might have to share the throne with a Queen who also happens to have a cannon for an arm. Having missed the majority of the 2025 WNBA season due to injury, Clark is finally back in full training mode. While the WNBA’s 2026 start date remains a question mark amid CBA negotiations, Clark took to Instagram this week to flash her “blessed arm” in video.

Clark was seen throwing effortless long balls that would make some NFL starters jealous. Her passion for football is well-documented, from her appearances on the New Heights podcast with the Kelce brothers to her recent campaigns promoting flag football for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. As Mendoza departs for the NFL, Clark’s presence as the face of Indiana sports looks more secure than ever, especially now that she’s healthy enough to throw touchdowns on the practice court.

The 2025 “Indiana Curse”: How the Hoosiers’ title served as a final sacrifice

To understand why this championship feels so heavy, you have to look back at the chaos of 2025. It was a year where it felt like the state of Indiana had to sacrifice its professional success for a college miracle. In the NBA, the Pacers made a heroic run to the Finals for the first time since 2000, only to face a tragic “what if” in Game 7 against the Thunder. Superstar Tyrese Haliburton, who had already dropped nine points in the opening minutes, suffered a season-ending Achilles tear that left the team helpless.

Similarly, the Fever posted their best season since 2015, yet fans were forced to watch a Game 5 semifinal loss to the Aces without Clark, who was relegated to the sidelines for all but 13 games of the year. The heartbreak even extended to the gridiron. The Indianapolis Colts, mourning the loss of longtime owner Jim Irsay, shocked the league with a dominant 8-2 start.

They looked like the best team in the NFL until the “curse” struck again; quarterback Daniel Jones suffered his own Achilles injury, and a desperate 44-year-old Philip Rivers was pulled out of retirement to try and save the season. The Colts ended up losing seven straight to miss the playoffs entirely. Looking back, it almost feels as if the sporting gods demanded every ounce of professional heartbreak just to allow the Hoosiers their perfect 16-0 season.