The Indiana Hoosiers are the 2026 College Football Playoff champions after holding off the Miami Hurricanes in an epic showdown … completing a perfect 16-0 season!!

The Crimson and Cream — led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza — got up to a 10-0 lead in the first half … but Carson Beck and the Canes didn’t go down without a fight, clawing back in the second half as both teams traded scores.

With IU up 27-21 in the final two minutes, Beck had a chance to lead his team downfield for a potential game-winning drive — but he threw it right into Jamari Sharpe’s hands …. and the Hoosiers secured their first title in school history.

Mendoza went 16/27 for 186 passing yards through the air … hitting Omar Cooper Jr. five times for 71 yards, and connecting with Charlie Becker four times for 65. He also had a crucial and jaw-dropping rushing touchdown.

The Miami quarterback had 232 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the losing effort … with Malachi Toney being his favorite target. He had 122 yards and a score on 10 receptions.

On the ground, Kaelon Black had 79 yards for the new champs … and Roman Hemby had 60 of his own.

It was super sweet for Mendoza — he grew up in Miami and tried to walk on for the Hurricanes in 2022 … and he made sure to point out after the game, the program declined.

Don Lemon is apparently in the DOJ’s crosshairs after he was covering a group of ICE protesters who interrupted a church service in Minnesota’s Twin Cities … and at least one parishioner wants them all charged.

Here’s the deal … The former CNN host — now an independent journalist — live-streamed from Cities Church in St. Paul, MN, where a bunch of demonstrators interrupted the Sunday service to protest the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the state. One of the pastors is allegedly an ICE official.

Cities Church parishioner Caleb Phillips tells TMZ … the protesters rocked the church and scared the hell out of a lot of good people … but ultimately, they accomplished nothing.

The DOJ said Monday an investigation had been opened … and alluded that Lemon would not be exempt.

After the situation settled and police arrived … Caleb tells us Parnell told members the protest target, Pastor David Easterwood, was in law enforcement for decades and has been a pastor at the church for 10 years. The church stands firmly behind him.

Fancy a night of cutting loose and cracking up? Funny you should ask — ’cause TMZ just threw its first-ever comedy crawl … and it was an absolute hoot.

Catch the clip for nonstop laughs — our rolling comedy party was hosted by Brittany Schmitt and Mateen Stewart, who kept the jokes coming all night as the TMZ party bus ferried everyone to three of L.A.’s hottest comedy spots.

The crawl kicked off at the Hollywood Improv, then rolled over to the Laugh Factory … where things seriously leveled up with a VIP view of Dane Cook’s set.

As one last surprise, passengers scored free tickets to future shows at the Hollywood Improv and Laugh Factory — plus a discounted Comedy Store ticket … ending the night on a total high note.