Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza headlines Heisman Finalists
The Heisman finalists have officially been announced and to no surprise, Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been named as one of them.
Mendoza, who is viewed as the favorite to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy, joins Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), and Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) as the group finalists for the award. The Heisman Trophy is given to the best player in College Football.
The quarterback of the Hoosiers is coming off leading Indiana football to winning the Big Ten Championship over Ohio State this past weekend. In the 13-10 win over the Buckeyes, Mendoza finished throwing 222 yards on 15-of-23 competitions adding one touchdown and just one interception. He would win the MVP of the game, as well.
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“You know, I don’t want to go in deep depth in with the Heisman, but I remember Coach Cignetti brought me in after, I think it was after UCLA, and he told me, he was like, hey, the Heisman’s a team game,” Fernando Mendoza said after the Big Ten Championship game. “It’s a team award. It’s not a player award. And if you win, then you can get nominated for it.”
“Hopefully, you know, I would love the opportunity to get the invite to New York, which would be fantastic. But I think it’s just really a testament to the team. And it’s not a player award. It’s a team award.”
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(On3+): ‘A no-brainer decision’: Fernando Mendoza cements his Heisman case in Big Ten Championship win
Heading into Saturday’s game, Mendoza had thrown for 2,758 yards (72% completion rate) including 32 touchdowns and only five interceptions the entire regular season. His play this season — plus leading Indiana football to being 13-0 and the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff — has given him to the resume to possibly becoming Indiana football’s first Heisman winner in program history.
“He’s absolutely the Heisman,” said Indiana football offensive lineman Pat Coogan.
“He possesses the ability to put the ball in the perfect spot……The kid is tough as nails, and I think that’s the unspoken part about him and the part that really separates him.”
The Heisman Trophy will be presented to the winner on Saturday, December 13th at 8 PM ET on ESPN/ABC.
Indiana football is set to play in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day and will face the winner of No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma.
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