It was quite the scene in New York City on Saturday night when Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the school’s first Heisman Trophy. The party started in the media room where over a dozen teammates mobbed Mendoza as the Heisman winner went to talk to the media. The party spilled out into Times Square in Manhattan as ‘Heis-Mendoza’ chats filled one of New York City’s busiest areas. However, the party is over and Mendoza and the Hoosiers are back to work.
“This weekend was a great weekend, great experience for my teammates and I. However, we understand that just like the Big Ten Championship game, just like any other big games we played this season, this page is now folded, although I will be in the fraternity for the rest of my life, which I’m extremely honored to be.” Mendoza said.
The Hoosiers are good at turning the page on historic accomplishments and for Hoosier players like offensive lineman Pat Coogan it’s time to go back to blocking defenses instead of Elmo and a knock-off Super Man. So even when the party is off the field IU’s offensive line is always blocking.
“Always blocking for me. They’re fantastic and can’t thank them enough for getting the Elmos and Supermans and all the random people or all the random mascots in Times Square out of the way.” Mendoza said.
While Saturday was a Hoosier celebration IU is three wins away from a national championship, which is the ultimate goal.
“Our focus right now is winning the College Football Playoff. That’s what would make this trophy so much sweeter. I believe this trophy is a little bit of a push of confidence on us, on the team, that we’re making history for the IU team in history to be 13-0 and also to bring home a Heisman Trophy to Bloomington.” Mendoza explained.
The Hoosiers do not play again until New Year’s Day they will have had 25 days between the Big Ten Championship Game and the Rose Bowl. While IU has earned these bye weeks, it’s up to the Hoosiers to stay sharp.
“We’re still staying sharp in our fundamentals” Mendoza said last week. “(I’ll) sharpen my football IQ on my own free time I will watch some games with Oklahoma and Alabama, just to get a feel for personnel and not do an extremely deep dive. And as those by weeks, I’m sure I’ll get bored and, you know, watch a little bit more than I should of each opponent.”
Mendoza and the Hoosiers will not rest on their laurels of winning the Big Ten title and the Heisman, but he is soaking up the moment as the Heisman Trophy will help propel the team forward.
“I think this is pushing us forward, and now all our team understands and even the lift this morning, we understand that we need to be humble and hungry. Hey, it’s congrats, all this stuff, hey, let’s go, we did it, we got the trophy; now it’s on to the real trophy or the season’s trophy, which is the National Championship.”
The book on the 2025 Hoosiers isn’t over yet, the next chapter awaits. IU will take on the winner of Alabama and Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl.