Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza was name a finalist for the Heisman Trophy on Monday evening. Mendoza, along with Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Notre Dame Running Back Jeremiyah Love will make the trip to New York City for the Heisman ceremony on December 13th at 8pm ET on ABC.
The Heisman Trophy Trust’s mission is to grow the legacy and preserve the integrity of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, which is annually awarded to the outstanding college football player in the United States whose performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.
Mendoza helped lead the Hoosiers to a Big Ten Championship, a 13-0 record and the number one seed in this season’s College Football Playoff where the Hoosiers will open up in the Rose Bowl.
His numbers speak for themselves. Mendoza completed 71.5-percent of his passes for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also impacted games with his legs scoring six more touchdowns and running for 240 yards.
Curt Cignetti has worked wonders with quarterbacks in the past and saw potential in Mendoza when he was in the transfer portal looked for a new home.
“He needed work in the pocket, footwork, patience,” head coach Curt Cignetti says. “He made a big jump in the spring and then in fall camp. After the second or third game, you could see him get comfortable and make plays.” Cignetti said. “Since the Illinois game, he’s been outstanding. The cold weather bothered him a little bit at Purdue. He’s a great leader and person. He’s highly intelligent. (Former NFL superstar quarterback) Tom Brady is his idol. I’ve never seen a guy put in the time to prepare like he does.”
According to an Indiana release, “Mendoza is the second-ever Heisman Trophy finalist from Indiana, joining Anthony Thompson, who was the runner up in 1989. Other top-10 finishers in the Heisman Trophy voting include Bill Hillenbrand (1942), Vaughn Dunbar (1991), Antwaan Randle El(2001), Tevin Coleman (2014) and Kurtis Rourke (2024).”