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Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza became the first Hoosier to win the coveted Heisman Trophy, college football’s most prestigious award.
Mendoza earned 2,362 first-place votes, edging out Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (1,435 votes), Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (719 votes) and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (432 votes).
Mendoza led the Hoosiers to their first No. 1 ranking and first place in the 12-team college football field, throwing for 2,980 yards and a national-best 33 touchdown passes while also rushing for six scores. Indiana, the last undefeated team in major college football, will play a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs off the field following an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mendoza, the Hoosiers’ first-year starter after transferring from California, is the spark behind an offense that surpassed program records for touchdowns and points set during last season’s surprise run to the CFP.
A redshirt junior, the once lightly recruited Miami native is the second Heisman finalist in school history, joining 1989 runner-up Anthony Thompson. The trophy was established in 1935.
INDIANA’S NO.
Mendoza is the seventh Indiana player to finish in the top 10 in Heisman voting, and marks another first in program history: having consecutive players finish in the top 10. Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke was ninth last year.
Quarterbacks have won the Heisman four of the last five years, with Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who played wide receiver and cornerback, winning last season.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws before an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The presentation of the Heisman Trophy came after several awards had already been awarded. Mendoza was named player of the year by The Associated Press earlier this week and collected the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards on Friday night, while Love won the Doak Walker award.
