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With Heisman narratives surrounding him Fernando Mendoza is focused on one thing: ‘Win the next game’

6I5A5606by: Drew Rosenberg18 hours agodrew_rosenberg2
NCAA Football: UCLA at Indiana
Oct 25, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs the ball against UCLA Bruins linebacker Isaiah Chisom (32) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. © Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

If you Google Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s name today, the results will be filled with his stories about his Heisman Award chances and where he stands in the race.

Mendoza’s 1,923 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, and three interceptions during the Hoosiers’ 8-0 start has firmly put him among the favorites for the award.

The outside narrative surrounding Indiana Football’s talented quarterback has been focused on the prestigious award, but Mendoza’s focus has not changed.

“I want to be consistently the best Fernando Mendoza that I can become,” Mendoza said to CBS Sports’ Jenny Dell.

Throughout all the success and narratives surrounding him, Mendoza has consistently taken everything this season one step and one play at a time.

Whether that play is a touchdown pass, an incompletion, a first down, or a rare interception, Mendoza is onto the next play.

“It really starts with the coaching points of keeping every play to itself. Once a play happens, good, bad, or indifferent, put it behind you.”

During Indiana’s win over Oregon, Mendoza threw a costly pick-six in the fourth quarter to tie the game.  On the road in a difficult environment against one of the best teams in the country, many quarterbacks would crumble after a costly mistake.

Instead of crumbling, Mendoza came right back and led a 75-yard touchdown drive to retake the lead and help Indiana earn their biggest win of the season.

While it’s easy to be distracted by the Heisman talk, Mendoza has done a phenomenal job of staying focused on the task at hand, winning football games.

RELATED: As Fernando Mendoza emerges as Heisman frontrunner, CFB legends weigh in

“Coach Cignetti made sure to call me into his office and tell me not to worry about that stuff and to really stay focused on every game, and winning those postseason awards only happens if we win the next game,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza and anyone else in contention would be lying if they said they didn’t want to win the Heisman, but he knows going out and winning games is the best way to stay in contention for the award.

He emphasized that his focus is on winning football games and leading Indiana to a deep postseason run.

Curt Cignetti was not the only one to give Mendoza advice regarding the attention he’s receiving.

2004 Heisman winner and former USC quarterback Matt Leinart told Mendoza to “soak it all in” and stay in the present.

“I think it’s very important to stay grounded,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza shared that his teammates do a good job of helping him stay grounded. When his or anyone else’s ego gets too big, the locker room will get them in check.

With Indiana’s number two ranking, teams are looking to be the one to take the Hoosiers down, but Mendoza wants to keep the “hunter” mentality.

Rather than being complacent and trying to survive the final four games and complete a perfect regular season, Mendoza and Indiana want to be the “hunters,” not the “hunted”.

“I really want to make sure that we keep this thing rolling,” Mendoza said.

With four games left in the regular season and Indiana closing in on the program’s first 12-0 regular season, it can be challenging not to look ahead, but Mendoza is still going to take it one game, one play, and one moment at a time.

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