Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza etched his name into college football history Saturday night, becoming the first Hoosier to win the Heisman Trophy. The junior capped a remarkable season by earning the sport’s highest individual honor after leading Indiana to an undefeated run, a Big Ten championship and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Mendoza is only the second Indiana player ever to be invited to New York as a Heisman finalist, joining running back Anthony Thompson, who finished second in the voting in 1989. This time, the trophy came home to Bloomington.
Mendoza transferred to Indiana from Cal after the 2024 season, joining a roster that already included his younger brother, Alberto, as a reserve quarterback. His move paid immediate dividends, as he became the fourth straight Heisman winner to have transferred during his college career and the second in that stretch to win the award in his first season at a new school.
Overcome with emotion during his acceptance speech, Mendoza thanked his faith, family, teammates and community for supporting him throughout his journey. “If you told me as a kid in Miami that I would be here on stage holding this prestigious trophy, I would have laughed or cried, just like I am now,” he said. He later added that he accepted the award with “humility and gratitude,” telling his teammates, “I love you more than you can know. Mendoza also used the moment to reflect on his path as an under-recruited prospect. “You don’t need the most stars, hype or ranking,” he said, emphasizing that football, family and faith have guided his life. His mother, seated in the audience, was visibly emotional as he thanked her for always believing in him.
On the field, Mendoza delivered one of the most efficient seasons in recent college football history. He completed 226 of 316 passes (71.5%) for 2,980 yards, threw an NCAA-record 33 touchdown passes and just six interceptions, and posted a passer rating of 181.4. He also contributed as a runner, adding 240 yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Behind Mendoza, Indiana finished 13–0, captured its first Big Ten title in 58 years and entered the College Football Playoff as the nation’s lone unbeaten team. Head coach Curt Cignetti praised Mendoza’s preparation and competitiveness, calling his fourth-quarter play “unbelievable” and adding, “I can’t think of a bigger compliment that you can pay a competitor than that.”
Indiana’s season included several defining moments, including a road win at Oregon and a gritty 13–10 victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. Mendoza also engineered a late, game-winning drive at Penn State to preserve the Hoosiers’ perfect record. The Heisman victory is the latest milestone in a rapid turnaround under Cignetti, who has transformed Indiana into a national power. Over the past two seasons, the Hoosiers are 24–2 with two playoff appearances, a far cry from the program’s long-standing struggles.
In the final Heisman voting, Mendoza totaled 2,362 points and received 643 first-place votes. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia finished second, followed by Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. While each finalist delivered standout performances, but Mendoza’s combination of efficiency, leadership and team success set him apart: Pavia guided Vanderbilt to a 10–2 season and a CFP Top 15 ranking, while Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns for Notre Dame; and Sayin led Ohio State to a 12–1 record and a No. 2 playoff seed.
Now with the Heisman secured, Mendoza and Indiana will turn their focus to the Rose Bowl, where the Hoosiers will face the winner of Alabama and Oklahoma in the playoff quarterfinals on Jan. 1.
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