Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has won the Heisman Trophy, as announced Saturday on ABC. The Hoosiers' signal-caller beat out Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Mendoza is Indiana’s first Heisman winner in program history. On Monday, he became the Hoosiers' second-ever Heisman finalist, joining running back Anthony Thompson, who finished second to Houston quarterback Andre Ware in 1989. Thompson lost out on the honor by fewer than 60 votes.
Other top-10 finishers who have represented Indiana in the Heisman race include quarterback Kurtis Rourke (2024), running back Tevin Coleman (2014), quarterback Antwaan Randle El (2001), running back Vaughn Dunbar (1991) and halfback Bill Hillenbrand (1942).
No. 1 Indiana enters the College Football Playoff at 13-0 after defeating then-No.1 Ohio State, 13-10, to claim its first outright Big Ten title since 1945 and hand the Buckeyes their first loss of the season. Mendoza has completed 71.5% of his passing attempts for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding six rushing touchdowns. His 39 total touchdowns leads the FBS and is an Indiana program record.
In the Big Ten Championship, Mendoza was 15-for-23 through the air, throwing for 222 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Indiana took its 13-10 lead for good on Mendoza’s 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Elijah Sarratt. On 3rd and 6 with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Mendoza completed a 33-yard pass to wide receiver Charlie Becker to help the Hoosiers salt the game away.
