Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish sit down with Carter Smith, one of the foundational pieces behind Indiana football’s national championship run.

Carter shares what it was like going from the lowest points of IU football to the top of the sport, why he chose to return for another season, and how this team is approaching a potential back-to-back title run under Curt Cignetti.

He also reveals the moment he tore his labrum during the national championship game (and kept playing), breaks down the now-legendary Fernando Mendoza fourth-down touchdown, and explains the deeper meaning behind his powerful championship tattoo.

This is an inside look at leadership, toughness, and what it takes to sustain greatness at Indiana.

Sideline Stories is BACK.

After Indiana football’s national championship run, Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish return to catch up on everything — from Sydney’s rise covering March Madness on the Big Ten Network to the realities of breaking into sports broadcasting at the highest level.

They dive into the nerves of live TV, behind-the-scenes chaos of studio work, viral coaching moments in women’s basketball, and why sideline reporters are more important than ever. Plus, Tricia shares a powerful early-career lesson that shaped her broadcasting journey, and the two reflect on unforgettable moments from the NCAA Tournament and beyond.

If you’re interested in sports media, storytelling, and what really happens behind the camera — this is a must-watch episode.

Indiana football is national champion, and Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish are still trying to process it.

In this emotional, joyful, and unfiltered episode of Sideline Stories, Tricia and Sydney look back on the moments that defined Indiana’s historic championship run — from the game-sealing interception, to Fernando Mendoza’s fearless fourth-down call, to the scenes on Kirkwood and inside Hard Rock Stadium.

They share personal stories from the stands, the aftermath in Miami, broken phones, tears, disbelief, and what this title means for Bloomington, IU fans everywhere, and everyone who stayed through the hard years. They also reflect on the leadership of Curt Cignetti, the toughness of Fernando Mendoza, and the long-arc vision of Scott Dolson.

This episode isn’t analysis — it’s memory-making.
And it’s one every Hoosier will want to revisit.