Fernando Mendoza went 'back to the fundamentals' and now is ready to elevate Indiana

Curt Cignetti is well aware of the progression of quarterback play throughout the season. From the spring to fall and now two weeks into the year, he’s seen that progression following the typical cycle for Fernando Mendoza. As Indiana heads into its final non-conference matchup of the season, there’s an expectation that he’ll take another step up in his play, much like the quarterbacks under Cignetti have done before.

“All these new quarterbacks, they build on their successes early in the season. You win, they play well, they build on it,” Cignetti said after IU’s week two win over Kennesaw State. “Same thing happened last year with Kurtis (Rourke). He didn’t have the greatest opener. He sure played good the second game even though the opponent — and obviously lights out the third.”

That progression was clear from Rourke in 2024 for Indiana. He went 15-of-24 for 180 yards and a touchdown in week one, to 15-of-17 for 268 yards and two touchdowns in week two. Then he turned in a week three performance of 25-of-33 for 307 yards and four touchdowns against UCLA.

While Mendoza will get one more non-conference opponent before Indiana enters Big Ten play, his progression has been similar. He was 18-of-31 in week one for 193 yards and a rushing touchdown. Then in week two, he went for 245 yards on 18-of-25 passing with four touchdowns.

The zip, control and placement were all significantly better and more consistent from week to week, and it was all due to a simple adjustment.

“I feel like I’m getting closer, and the first game against ODU I was a little too excited, wanted to have the perfect debut and show hoosier fans what I had,” Mendoza said on Saturday. “Just had to go back to the fundamentals and like coach Cignetti preaches, one game at a time, 0-0.”

The fundamentals have Mendoza as one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects around the country this season. It’s his ability to control the tempo, be a factor in all three areas of the field vertically, and move with his feet.

80+ percent of Mendoza’s snaps through two weeks have come with a clean pocket, however. Additionally, 39 percent of his drop backs through two weeks have been play-action snaps. His ability to spread out the defense has been notable, with nine receivers catching a pass from him in week one and eight in week two.

“There are still some opportunities, myself, I left out on the table — LeBron Bond there deep late and a couple others that were this close,” Mendoza emphasized. “Just this close to take this standard to the next level in order to keep this momentum going and have these big games against big ten opponents.”

Some of those opportunities turned results from week one to week two were notable. His connection with All-American Elijah Sarratt was clear, and his red zone and deed-yardage work was, too. After just a 3-of-10 outing in the first week when throwing 10+ yards, he increased that to 6-of-11 in week two.

“More intentionality this week,” Mendoza said of the difference from week to week. “Thursdays we have to go 100 percent — let’s get a couple fades after practice especially cause there were two fades I missed early in ODU. I think the extra work, preparation, intentionality of, ‘hey we’re going to get this, these are the looks we’re going to get in the game’. So watching film after practice to get this down — we gotta keep on doing that.

“I’m just trying to be the point guard of the offense, pass them the ball, and give all our great playmakers and offensive line a great chance to win.”

So far through two games the Indiana quarterback is completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 438 yards and has four touchdowns with zero turnovers.

“We took a step forward,” Cignetti said. “There’s no denying that.”

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