The Indiana Hoosiers are national champions for the first time in program history after Monday’s 27-21 win over Miami in a thrilling College Football Playoff title game.
He may not have been as efficient passing the ball as he was in the first two CFP games, but Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza delivered another clutch performance when it mattered most.
Fernando Mendoza breaks Heisman QB curse
Mendoza is the first quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy and the national championship in the same season since Joe Burrow in 2019 and only the third since 2013 (Jameis Winston). He is the first player to win both since wide receiver DeVonta Smith in 2020.
He was only 16-of-27 for 186 yards — a far cry from his eight TDs and five incompletions in the CFP entering Monday night — but he reminded everyone why he won the Heisman Trophy after a gutsy fourth-down call from head coach Curt Cignetti.
Leading 17-14 and facing a 4th-and-4 on the 12-yard line just over five minutes into the final quarter, Cignetti elected to keep the offense on the field instead of settling for the field goal. Mendoza took it from there and was not going to be denied on this incredible TD run.
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