Fernando Mendoza earned Matt Patricia’s respect with one unforgettable moment

Even though a new college football season will be upon us in a few months, Indiana fans are still soaking up as much as they can from the 2025 season, knowing how magical it truly was. Going undefeated with a Big Ten Championship and National Championship win was something Hoosier fans thought they could only dream about.

The season was filled with many great moments, one of them coming in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State. On the first offensive play of the game for the Hoosiers, Ohio State EDGE rusher Caden Curry laid a massive hit on Fernando Mendoza that kept him down for a while on the field, making everyone wonder if he had just been knocked out of the game, even defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

When speaking about Mendoza on "Good Morning Football," Patricia recalled this moment, and his reaction to the Indiana quarterback getting up is one that Indiana fans will love.

"Caden Curry hit him so hard on the first play of the game, and I was like ok here we go," Patricia said. "Then he got up. I was like uh-oh, we got a problem.”

Patricia was right when he thought they had a problem as Mendoza went on to beat the Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game. Patricia loves everything that Mendoza is about and believes he is going to have a bright career in the NFL, and he should know, as he once coached against a great quarterback in the NFL.

The Ohio State DC even said that Mendoza made sure to pull him aside at the NFL Combine to speak with him, which just further proves the type of person Mendoza is. Patricia knows that Mendoza was probably the most challenging quarterback Ohio State faced last season, and he is probably glad he is no longer with the Hoosiers.

Indiana isn't planning on going away, though, as Curt Cignetti plans to keep the momentum going with QB Josh Hoover. So, buckle up, Patricia, because Indiana plans to stay at the top of the Big Ten.

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