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The state of Indiana has to be buzzing after Indiana football broke through with the natty, taking a 27-21 win over Miami in the CFP national championship game on MLK Day. Fernando Mendoza, the potential first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, took his team to the promised land, and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who acts as an incredible quarterback in his own right, could not have been more thrilled to see the hometown team reach the apex of college football. After Indiana sealed the victory with a field goal with a little over a minute left, doing just enough to keep Miami at bay after a late Malachi Toney touchdown made the Hoosiers sweat, the Pacers star published a heartfelt message as he continued to embrace the state of Indiana as his own (he hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin). “A state has never deserved something more. Congrats @IndianaFootball ,” Haliburton wrote on his official account on X (formerly Twitter). Haliburton knows more than nearly everybody just how much sporting success means to the people of Indiana. The Pacers received bonkers support in their run to the NBA Finals in 2025, and Indiana football’s breakthrough has to be very cathartic for a fanbase that’s come so close yet so far in terms of winning a championship. Can Pacers follow in Indiana football’s footsteps? Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images The Hoosiers have undergone such a quick turnaround under Curt Cignetti, posting two consecutive seasons of incredible football that saw them qualify for the CFP. In 2024, they lost in the first round of the CFP, but this year, they broke through with an undefeated season and the natty to cap everything off. As for the Pacers, they might be the league’s sleeping giant. Most of the core of their 2025 NBA Finals roster is injured, including Haliburton, and a few roster tweaks here and there, along with a high lottery pick in 2026, should put them well in shape for a major bounce-back season during the 2026-27 campaign. The post Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton delivers touching message after Indiana football’s National Championship win appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The loudest roar at Amerant Bank Arena on Monday night didn’t come during a goal or a save. It came the moment Matthew Tkachuk stepped onto the ice for his first shift of the season. After months away recovering from surgery, the Florida Panthers winger returned to game action and instantly brought the edge that defines his game. Despite the layoff, it was clear early that Tkachuk hadn’t lost his competitive instincts. Just over a minute into the game, he was involved physically, and midway through the first period, he got into a scuffle with San Jose Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais. Just the 1st period into his return and Matthew Tkachuk got into it with Vincent Desharnais pic.twitter.com/uFUlAiVzKG — Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 19, 2026 Later in the period, Desharnais delivered a heavy hit on Tkachuk, the kind of contact that only comes in real game action. After the game, Tkachuk reflected on how it felt to be back in meaningful minutes. “I will say, it was such a relief and nice to be out there,” Tkachuk said, via NHL.com. “The first period was weird, just a little strange. Nothing mimics a game. The second felt better, third felt back to normal.” Tkachuk hadn’t played since Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, when Florida secured its second straight championship. While he never publicly addressed it at the time, the Cup-clinching night marked the beginning of a long recovery. He underwent surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia, keeping him sidelined through the opening stretch of the season. On the stat sheet, Tkachuk logged just under 21 minutes, recorded three shots on goal, and showed no hesitation engaging physically. Still, his return was spoiled on the scoreboard. San Jose scored three times in the second period, powering a 4-1 win behind 35 saves from Alex Nedeljkovic. While Florida didn’t get the result it wanted, Tkachuk’s presence alone changed the tone of the game. His immediate involvement, including the early confrontation, underscored his readiness to compete at full intensity. As the Panthers push forward in their title defense, Tkachuk’s return adds a familiar edge. With more games to shake off rust and major international competition looming, Florida will be counting on their emotional leader to build momentum quickly. The post Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk immediately gets into a fight in return from injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Fred King provided an explanation for why he joined the Murray State Racers for the 2025-26 college basketball season. King is going through his senior campaign with the Racers. He spent the first three years of his collegiate career with the Creighton Blue Jays. The center played in 103 games, starting four times, while averaging 2.9 points and seven minutes per game. He even served as the backup to Ryan Kalkbrenner, who went on to reach the NBA as he now plays for the Charlotte Hornets. King recently went on an interview with Andy Katz. The college basketball insider asked him about why his transition to Murray State has gone smooth, which the center made a direct reference to Kalkbrenner. “Why such a seamless transition after transferring to Murray State?” Katz asked. “Because I’ve been in big moments where I played against a great player and great role model, so it has built me to be ready for my time down here at Murray State,” King answered. @TheAndyKatz asked @RacersHoops Fred King — “Why such a seamless transition after transferring to Murray State?” pic.twitter.com/aiSDruBhds — Missouri Valley Conference (@MVCsports) January 20, 2026 What’s next for Fred King, Murray State Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images It’s clear that Fred King learned a lot from his former star teammate at Creighton. Thanks to those experiences, he has transformed into a double-double threat for Murray State. King is enjoying the best season of his collegiate career to date. Throughout 18 appearances, he is averaging 12.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and one assist per game. He is shooting 63.2% from the field and 60% from the free-throw line, having racked up five double-doubles and counting. Murray State has a 16-3 overall record this season, including an 8-0 start in MVC Play. They control the top spot of the league standings, being above the Belmont Bruins and Bradley Braves. Rolling with 12 consecutive wins, the Racers will look forward to their next matchup. They are on the road when they face the Drake Bulldogs on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. ET. The post Murray State center Fred King breaks down seamless transition to Racers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is surely on cloud nine right now after they defeated Miami, 27-21, in a nail-biting finish on Monday to capture the first national championship in program history. Numerous athletes tuned in to the game on Monday, including Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. She even got excited for Mendoza after famous rapper Lil Uzi Vert showed up at Hard Rock Stadium. “If Indiana wins, I hope he performs in the locker room after the game for Fernando,” wrote Clark on X. If Indiana wins I hope he performs in the locker room after the game for Fernando https://t.co/P2Q9endYpU — Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) January 20, 2026 The 22-year-old Mendoza invited Lil Uzi Vert, his favorite rapper, to attend the national championship game if the Hoosiers made it. The 30-year-old artist, known for “Just Wanna Rock” and ” XO Tour Llif3,” accepted the invitation and stayed true to his word. He even sported Mendoza’s jersey. Lil Uzi Vert might have been Mendoza’s lucky charm, as the Heisman Trophy winner scored on a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter to seal Miami’s doom. He went 16-of-27 for 186 yards. The Hoosiers completed their undefeated season in the best way possible, lifting the shiny reward that has eluded them for decades. Having his favorite rapper witness it was a bonus for Mendoza, who did not expect Lil Uzi Vert to show up. “If I see him there, it would be fantastic. I love his music. I’m really just trying to focus on the game. I owe it to my teammates and my coaches. This is a very important game for them. Although seeing Lil Uzi Vert there would be fantastic and a big plus for everybody. I know he’s a very busy man,” said Mendoza in the lead-up to the contest, as quoted by Sports Illustrated’s Christopher Walsh. As of writing, it remains unclear if Clark’s wish came true. The post Caitlin Clark has 1 wish for Fernando Mendoza in Indiana-Miami championship game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The star running back Mark Fletcher Jr. delivered one of the defining moments of the College Football Playoff national championship, even as the Miami Hurricanes ultimately came up short against an unbeaten Indiana Hoosiers. After being completely shut out in the first half, the Hurricanes desperately needed a spark early in the third quarter. They received that break from their star running back. On a simple handoff near midfield, Fletcher spotted a crease, trusted it, and exploded through the Indiana defense. Fifty-seven yards later, he was in the end zone, trimming Indiana’s lead to 10-7 and reigniting Hard Rock Stadium. That single run carried historic weight. “478 yards and counting. With his 57-yard TD, Mark Fletcher Jr. passed Ezekiel Elliott for the most career rushing yards in College Football Playoff history.” ESPN Insights noted on X, formerly Twitter. 478 yards and counting With his 57-yard TD, Mark Fletcher Jr. passed Ezekiel Elliott for the most career rushing yards in College Football Playoff history pic.twitter.com/1ooP9uoplK — ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) January 20, 2026 Elliott’s feat had stood since his dominant 2014 postseason run when he recorded 476 CFP rushing yards, making Fletcher’s achievement all the more vital on the sport’s biggest stage. The moment was especially meaningful for Fletcher, a Fort Lauderdale native playing close to home in the national title game. Throughout the postseason, he had spoken about the emotional pull of representing Miami in front of family while honoring the memory of his late father. His touchdown was not flashy or deceptive; it was a downhill, physical run that reflected Miami’s identity. Entering the championship, Fletcher had already piled up 395 rushing yards across three CFP games, sitting just 81 yards shy of Elliott’s record. By the time the night ended, he had firmly moved past it. Fletcher finished the game with 112 rushing yards on 17 carries. His postseason surge pushed him past 478 career CFP rushing yards, placing him atop the playoff record book. Despite Fletcher’s heroics, Curt Cignetti’s Indiana held on for a 27-21 victory, capping a perfect 16-0 season and claiming the program’s first national championship. While Miami made multiple pushes in the second half, including a late touchdown drive to pull within three, but the Hoosiers responded each time. While the loss stings, Fletcher’s performance and record-setting run cemented his place in CFP history. The post Miami’s Mark Fletcher breaks Ezekiel Elliott’s CFP record amid Indiana clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.