Fernando Mendoza can strengthen his Heisman odds with statement win against Illinois

Fernando Mendoza arrived in Bloomington as a proven Power 4 quarterback, after transferring over from California. The 6-foot-5 and 225-pound redshirt junior was 265-of-386 (68.7%) passing for 3,004 yards, with 16 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 2024. He rushed for 105yards and two scores on the ground as well.

Expectations were high coming into the season as Indiana led by head coach Curt Cignetti had a historic season. Indiana finished the season with an11-2 record, including an 8-1 record in the Big Ten Conference that included a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Those high expectations also included replacing quarterback Kurtis Rourke who finished ninth overall in last year's Heisman Trophy voting. Rourke had a record-breaking season with 3,042 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, earning him second-team All-Big Ten honors.

That hasn't stopped Mendoza who is seen as an upgrade from Rourke at quarterback. The Miami, Florida native has been sensational with 55 of 76 passing, 9 passing touchdowns, no interceptions, 708 yards to go along with 72 yards on the ground and 2 scores.

The competition has been light with Indiana playing against Old Dominon, Kennesaw State and Indiana State.

No. 22 Indiana will take on No. 9 Illinois next Saturday night in a showdown between Heisman hopefuls Fernando Mendoza and senior quarterback Luke Altmyer.

Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT.
Venue: Indiana University Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
TV: NBC's primetime "Big Ten Saturday Night" slot (7:30 pm)

With two weeks of action down and a third upcoming today, here is a snapshot of the Heisman Trophy picture. Odds below per FanDuel Sportsbook.

Heisman Trophy odds entering Week 3

• QB Garett Nussmeier, LSU (+900)
• QB Carson Beck, Miami (+1000)
• QB John Mateer, Oklahoma (+1000)
• QB Dante Moore , Oregon (+1100)
• QB Arch Manning, Texas (+1300)
• QB Gunner Stockon, Georgia (+1400)
• QB LaNorris Seller, South Carolina (+1800)
• QB Drew Allar, Penn State (+1800)
• WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (+1800)
• QB Devon Dampier, Utah (+1800)
• QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson (+2000)
• QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (+2000)
• QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State (+2000)
• QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M (+2500)
• QB Tommy Castellanos, Florida State (+2500)

Here are Indiana's all-time top finishers in the Heisman Trophy voting

• Bill Hillenbrand — fifth in 1942
• Anthony Thompson — second in 1989
• Vaughn Dunbar — sixth in 1991
• Antwaan Randle El — sixth in 2001
• Tevin Coleman — seventh in 2014
• Kurtis Rourke — ninth in 2024