Indianapolis, Indiana – Indiana football’s historic season ended Monday night in unforgettable fashion, and while the players lifted the trophy in Miami, another group of Hoosiers was celebrating a milestone of its own. As Indiana captured its first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship with a 27-21 win over the University of Miami, IU student media was there every step of the way, documenting a season that will be remembered for generations.
The victory capped a perfect 16-0 season, making Indiana the first team in the modern era to finish undefeated while claiming the national title. Fans across the state poured into streets, bars, and living rooms, savoring a moment that once felt impossible. While much of the attention this season centered on head coach Curt Cignetti, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and the players who powered the Hoosiers’ rise, student journalists quietly played a key role in telling the story from the inside.
Throughout the postseason, select members of IU student media traveled thousands of miles to cover Indiana’s march to the championship. Their journey took them from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, and finally to the National Championship game in Miami. Along the way, they interviewed players and coaches during media days, produced broadcasts from both road sites and Bloomington, and captured photos and video that preserved each milestone.
IU senior William Stewart was among those granted media credentials for all three postseason games. Stewart serves as the video content creator for NBC Sports in Indiana and is the executive director of the Hoosier Network. For him, the experience was surreal.
Stewart said his experience covering these games has been some of the best weeks of his life, and “a fever dream.”
“Seeing all the emails come in that say College Football Playoff, actually being on site, seeing all the golden accessories, the golden football logo, seeing all these high level teams along with Indiana,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Beyond the spectacle, Stewart noted that the work itself demanded focus and professionalism. While media week brought more access than a typical regular-season game, the core responsibility remained the same.
Stewart said some aspects of covering the bowls were different than his typical sports coverage, with increased availability during media week and increased access to coaches and players. However, when it comes time to cover the actual game, Stewart noted there wasn’t too much difference.
“Obviously, you’re exploring a new venue, it’s a huge game and everyone knows that,” he said. “But you’re still, at the end of the day, covering a football game.”
That mindset, Stewart believes, will serve him well as he prepares for a career in live sports broadcast production. He said the opportunity to work on college football’s biggest stage provides proof of his ability to perform under pressure.
“No matter what, I can go in there, get the job done, not get distracted, put out high quality content at a competitive rate, and I can put it out consistently,” Stewart said. “It’s just a matter of giving me the opportunity and letting me show you that I can work.”
Another familiar face on the postseason trail was IU senior Nick Rodecap, who covered both bowl games and the National Championship. Rodecap reports on the IU football beat for the Hoosier Network and broadcasts football and men’s basketball for WIUX. For him, the experience went beyond games and press conferences.
From talking with football players and coaches to meeting journalists from reputable publications like The New York Times and ESPN, Rodecap said his experience covering the games has been amazing.
“It’s an experience that usually you have to be in the professional field for a long time to have, but we get it as students,” he said. “It’s been awesome.”
Rodecap also highlighted how postseason access allowed for deeper storytelling. With fewer time constraints and broader availability, student reporters were able to speak with more sources than usual.
Rodecap also appreciated the increased access to sources.
“It’s been great getting to talk to not only the backup [players], but also the assistant coaches and just getting increased access to them has allowed us to write more in-depth stories that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to during the season,” he said.
Those conversations helped paint a fuller picture of Indiana’s championship run, revealing the preparation, emotion, and behind-the-scenes effort that fueled the team’s success. For Rodecap, the experience also reinforced the value of persistence and presence.
For younger reporters hoping to pursue a similar career in sports media, Rodecap advised them to simply show up.
“I think the number one thing is just being there, being present, covering as many things as you can for the beat that you’re on and doing your best work while you’re there,” Rodecap said. “I think that’s the most important thing.”
As confetti fell in Miami and Indiana’s players celebrated a season for the ages, IU student media members packed up cameras, microphones, and notebooks, knowing they had witnessed history firsthand. Their work ensured that the Hoosiers’ remarkable journey was captured not just in box scores and highlights, but in stories told through the eyes of students who lived it alongside the team.
From Bloomington to Miami, the season was more than a championship run. It was a learning experience, a proving ground, and a rare opportunity for student journalists to cover college football at its highest level. For those behind the cameras and keyboards, the memories will last long after the final whistle.
