If last week’s performance against Oregon introduced the rest of America to Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman campaign, Saturday’s performance against Michigan State made him the frontrunner. The Indiana quarterback finished the 38-13 victory with a staggering 24-28 passing, 332 yards, 4 TDs, and 18 rushing yards.
Mendoza looked sharp all game long, consistently making the right read and leading the Hoosiers up and down the field, scoring touchdown after touchdown. Following a weather delay at halftime due to lightning strikes, lightning struck on the field. Mendoza delivered a 48-yard strike to Omar Cooper Jr. for a touchdown, putting the Hoosiers up three scores. After witnessing this vintage Mendoza play, the Indiana student section (who had taken their shirts off and were waving them above their heads) began to chant, “Heis-Mendoza.”
I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t take the word of a rowdy student section, but Mendoza is the real deal. Following the game, head coach Curt Cignetti said, “I think it was a really good performance by [Mendoza]…I would say this is the sharpest we’ve seen him up to this point in a game. But he continues to improve, and he continues to prepare like nobody I’ve ever been around, and he’s getting better and better.”
One of Mendoza’s favorite targets Omar Cooper Jr. echoed this, saying, “Honestly, don’t ever tell him I said this cause he hates hearing stuff like this, but I feel like we have the best quarterback in college football. So I’m grateful to have him on our team, and just seeing the progression he has been making each and every week has been amazing, so I’m happy for him and want to see him keep working.”
When asked about the “Heis-Mendoza” chants after the game, Mendoza stayed true to his humble roots, praising everyone but himself. “First of all, I want to give a shoutout to the student section [for] sticking through the rain and the shirtless towel waving, cause that was fantastic to see. All the players on the sideline were hyped about it. It got myself juiced, it got the offense juiced, and it got the team juiced. Shoutout to the student section for waving the towels in the rain; what a great sight to see.” Mendoza said.
Mendoza then continued by specifically addressing the chants, saying, “I did hear them on the field…we do have a lot of season left, and right now I’m just focused on UCLA. We have so many great players on our team, and I think that we play even better when we play as one. So whatever spotlight I might get from the offense’s success, I’m just trying to dish it out to all of my teammates cause they really deserve it.”
Mendoza’s unselfish attitude extends to the field, where he often chooses the smart play over the flashy one, oftentimes checking the ball down instead of forcing a deep ball. He is not hunting highlights; they just come naturally to him, his methodical style of play has led him to an impressive ratio of 21 touchdowns to 2 interceptions and the 5th best total quarterback rating in the nation at 87.5.
While Mendoza may not admit it, those shirtless students were onto something; he has consistently put up great numbers and only continues to improve in the system each and every game. He’s a large part of the Hoosiers’ success, and if he keeps playing how he has been playing, there’s a good chance he will be in New York come December. After Saturday’s performance against Michigan State, the college football world is beginning to take notice of “Heis-Mendoza.”