It’s an electric time to be a Hoosiers fan. For the first time since 1988, Indiana finally toppled Ohio State, snapping a 30-game slide that had hovered over the program for decades. Saturday’s win in the Big Ten Championship delivered something even more historic. Indiana is once again the champion of the conference for the first time since 1967. Under Curt Cignetti, who is now 24-2 leading the Hoosiers, the program has transformed into a confident, disciplined, and relentless machine.
Even with the momentum of a remarkable season, the Hoosiers knew the challenge in front of them. They were staring down the top ranked team in the country, the reigning national champions, and one of the most suffocating defenses in college football. Indiana refused to blink. Guided by Cignetti’s mentality and a locker room built on accountability, the Hoosiers stayed hungry and poised when the pressure tightened.
“Whenever we’re in any adversity, we’re always there sticking by each other and not finger pointing,” quarterback Fernando Mendoza said in his postgame press conference. “I think that’s what elevates us to our competition and exceeds expectations in those high adversity moments.”
Mendoza has shown all season that he thrives in those moments. He has now delivered four wins through pure composure and a refusal to crack under pressure. Road victories against Iowa, Oregon, and Penn State already established him as one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the country. On Saturday night in Indianapolis, he added the biggest one yet, guiding Indiana to a gritty 13-10 win over the Buckeyes and strengthening his case for the Heisman Trophy.
Indiana’s hopes of winning the title would have taken a major hit without its starting quarterback, and Mendoza gave Hoosier fans a jolt on the very first play of the game. He completed a quick nine-yard pass before getting crushed by an Ohio State defender. Mendoza stayed on the turf clutching his midsection, and the stadium fell silent. Moments later he popped back up, shook it off, and revealed it was nothing more than the wind knocked out of him. From there he settled in and showed the country why he is the clear Heisman front runner.
Mendoza finished 15 of 23 for 222 yards and a touchdown. His lone interception came on an unlucky deflection that floated directly into a defender’s hands. Instead of letting it rattle him, he regrouped and delivered in the biggest moments with his usual precision.
“We found a way to survive it, [and] made the plays when we had to,” Coach Cignetti said postgame. “When the game was on the line Fernando was throwing dimes, and Charlie Becker was showing up making big plays, and Sarratt with a big touchdown.”
Becker has become one of the most important names in the Indiana offense in recent weeks. When Sarratt missed time with an injury, Becker stepped forward and delivered back-to-back 100-yard performances against Penn State and Wisconsin. On Saturday, Mendoza’s roommate turned in another standout showing with six catches for 126 yards. With Omar Cooper leaving early, Becker took on an even bigger role and repeatedly came through in key moments. His biggest play came on a 51-yard strike from Mendoza, a perfectly placed rocket that flipped the momentum and set up Elijah Sarratt’s brilliant 17-yard back shoulder touchdown grab.
Sarratt’s touchdown gave Indiana its first lead since the opening quarter after falling behind 3 to 7 early. With a 13 to 10 advantage in the third, the Hoosiers shifted their focus to grinding down the clock and keeping the Buckeyes offense on the sideline as long as possible. The defense held strong, and after Ohio State missed a field goal late in the fourth, Indiana needed one more play to shut the door. Facing a critical third and six with the Buckeyes waiting for their opportunity at a last-minute drive, Mendoza trusted his top target of the game once more. He launched a beautiful 33-yard ball to Charlie Becker, who hauled it in to stun the Ohio State secondary. The play all but sealed Indiana’s Big Ten title. Mendoza’s composure and command throughout the night earned him the MVP trophy for the 2025 Big Ten Championship, a moment made even more meaningful with his family and Hoosier fans celebrating in the stands.
“I think what makes this moment so special tonight, not just for myself and my family, but for everybody, is the community of Bloomington and how long they’ve waited for this and how much it means to everybody,” Mendoza said. “Seeing my family there means a ton to me, and it just shows unconditional love that my mom and I have for each other. But also, it’s just so great seeing Hoosier Nation, everybody else’s family members out there supporting us.”
After his postgame duties, Fernando and his brother Alberto found their family for an emotional embrace. Mendoza’s mother, who lives with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), has been one of his strongest sources of support throughout his life. Watching the quarterback wrap his arms around her and celebrate with relatives who have backed him every step of the way added a heartfelt layer to an already unforgettable night.
At 13-0 with a Big Ten Championship in hand, Indiana still has more to chase. Mendoza entered the matchup as the Heisman front runner, and his performance under the brightest lights only strengthened his case. He is all but certain to be in New York next weekend with a chance to become the first Hoosier ever to bring home the award. With the victory over the top ranked Buckeyes, Indiana will rise to the number one seed and secure its spot in the Rose Bowl. The Hoosiers now earn a first round bye, giving them time to reset before their next challenge. The journey is not finished, and Cignetti’s message remains the same. One game at a time, stay hungry, and keep proving the country wrong.