UPDATE: In a historic win, Fernando Mendoza, the talented quarterback for No. 1 Indiana, has been awarded the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, marking the first time a Hoosier has claimed college football’s most prestigious honor since its inception in 1935.
Mendoza dominated the voting with 2,362 first-place votes, outpacing Vanderbilt‘s Diego Pavia at 1,435 votes, Notre Dame‘s Jeremiyah Love at 719 votes, and Ohio State‘s Julian Sayin at 432 votes. This victory solidifies Mendoza’s pivotal role in leading the Hoosiers to their first-ever No. 1 ranking and a playoff berth.
Mendoza’s statistics speak volumes: he threw for 2,980 yards and a national-best 33 touchdown passes, along with contributing six rushing touchdowns. The Hoosiers, now the last unbeaten team in major college football, are set to compete in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2024.
A first-year starter after transferring from California, Mendoza is not just a player—he’s a game-changer. During his time, he has shattered program records for touchdowns and points, surpassing marks set during last season’s remarkable run to the playoffs. His journey is particularly inspiring, as he rose from a lightly recruited athlete to a Heisman winner.
Mendoza’s achievement adds to Indiana’s legacy, as he becomes the second player in school history to be a Heisman finalist, joining 1989 runner-up Anthony Thompson. This year marks a significant milestone with back-to-back top-10 finishes for Indiana, as Kurtis Rourke finished ninth last year.
The Heisman presentation occurred amid a flurry of accolades for Mendoza, who was also named The Associated Press Player of the Year earlier this week and received both the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards just before the Heisman ceremony.
“This is a dream come true,” Mendoza said in his acceptance speech. “I owe everything to my teammates and coaches who believed in me.”
Meanwhile, Diego Pavia made history for Vanderbilt as their first-ever Heisman finalist. Pavia threw for a school-record 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns, leading the Commodores to their first-ever 10-win season and six victories against SEC opponents. Vanderbilt, which reached a high of No. 9 in the AP Top 25, will compete in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Iowa on December 31.
In the running back category, Jeremiyah Love had a stellar season for Notre Dame, finishing fourth in the Bowl Subdivision with 1,372 rushing yards and third with 18 rushing touchdowns. However, the Fighting Irish missed out on the playoffs and opted out of a bowl game.
What’s Next: As the College Football Playoff approaches, all eyes will be on Mendoza and Indiana as they seek to capitalize on this historic momentum. Fans are eager to see if Mendoza can lead the Hoosiers to victory in the Rose Bowl and potentially further in the playoffs.
This remarkable Heisman win not only elevates Mendoza’s status but also shines a spotlight on Indiana’s football program, igniting excitement and hope for what lies ahead.
