Paul Finebaum: Fernando Mendoza had Heisman moment vs. Penn State

Fernando Mendoza was falling back and taking a hit when he zipped a 7-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. in the final minute of Saturday’s 27-24 win over Penn State. The play kept Indiana‘s undefeated season alive by the tip of Cooper’s toe.

According to Paul Finebaum, the touchdown pass solidified the Hoosiers QB as a Heisman Trophy finalist. The Indiana star might even make history and win the whole thing, becoming the first-ever Hoosier to do so.

“It was one of the truly great moments of the year,” Finebaum said. “And if we see young Mr. Mendoza in about five weeks in New York on that front row holding up the trophy — that will very likely be the reason.”

After Week 11, Mendoza is now tied with Ohio State‘s Julian Sayin as the odds-on favorite to win the trophy, according to BetMGM. With both the Hoosiers and Buckeyes boasting undefeated seasons through 11 weeks, all signs point toward a meeting in the Big Ten championship game.

The conference title game is set for Dec. 6, while the Heisman Trophy is handed out the following week. What happens in that matchup, if it even happens, could determine the winner of college football’s top individual prize.

Of course, Mendoza’s prowess hasn’t been limited to that one play. He’s been the model for consistency for the Hoosiers, and the driving force of Indiana’s undefeated start to the season.

On the season, Mendoza has completed 71.3% (181-254) of his passing attempts for 2,342 yards and 26 touchdowns compared to five interceptions. He’s added over 200 yards and five additional touchdowns on the ground, including a highlight run against Penn State on Saturday.

Indiana rounds out its regular season against Wisconsin and Purdue — two teams with a combined 5-14 record this season. This should give Mendoza several opportunities to bolster his Heisman status before the postseason.

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