Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Makes History as First Hoosier to Win Heisman Trophy

Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza has become the first player in the school’s history to win the Heisman Trophy, college football’s most prestigious honor.

Mendoza secured the victory with a significant lead in the voting process.

• Fernando Mendoza (Indiana): 2,392 first-place votes.
• Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt): 1,435 votes.
• Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): 719 votes.
• Julian Sayin (Ohio State): 432 votes.

Mendoza, a redshirt junior and first-year starter who transferred from California, led the Hoosiers to their first-ever No. 1 ranking. Indiana remains the only unbeaten team in major college football and secured the top seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. The team is scheduled to play a quarterfinal game in the Rose Bowl on January 1.

Mendoza’s individual statistics for the season include:

• Passing Yards: 2,980.
• Passing Touchdowns: 33 (best in the nation).
• Rushing Touchdowns: 6.

He piloted an offense that surpassed program records for both points and touchdowns.

Prior to winning the Heisman, Mendoza was named The Associated Press Player of the Year and received both the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards. Fellow finalist Jeremiyah Love won the Doak Walker Award.

Mendoza is only the second Heisman finalist in Indiana history, joining Anthony Thompson, who was the runner-up in 1989. This victory marks the fourth time in the last five years that a quarterback has won the award, following last season’s winner, Travis Hunter of Colorado. This is also the second consecutive year an Indiana player finished in the top 10 for Heisman voting, as quarterback Kurtis Rourke finished ninth the previous year.