Fernando Mendoza led the Hoosiers to the greatest season in Indiana football history this past season. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback threw for 3,535 yards and accounted for 48 total touchdowns en route to leading Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season that culminated in a historic National Championship.
Curt Cignetti, Indiana take big stride in flip efforts for 5-star Texas Tech commit
There were countless memorable moments along the way, but one defining moment of Mendoza's season came early on in the Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes possessed one of the best defenses that college football had ever seen, and they didn't take long to make an impact.
On the first play from scrimmage, OSU defensive end Caden Curry delivered a crushing hit to Mendoza. The Hoosier quarterback was clearly shaken up and remained on the turf for several moments after the play.
On the first play of the Big Ten Championship, Fernando Mendoza took a HUGE hit from Caden Curry but returned the next play.
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) December 7, 2025
Ohio State is looking to set the tone early against Indiana for the Big Ten Championship and the #1 overall seed!#GoBuckspic.twitter.com/S5QU1Z852D
Mendoza was then able to get up under his own power and jog to the sidelines. He then returned to the game quickly and went on to deliver several clutch moments in Indiana's 13-10 victory.
Mendoza's toughness and tenacity was on full display in that initial sequence to start the game, and Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia knew his team was in trouble.
Matt Patricia recounts Fernando Mendoza's elite toughness in the Big Ten Championship game
Appearing on Good Morning Football on Friday, Patricia recalls very clearly how he felt after watching Mendoza get back up after taking the brutal blow from Curry.
"He goes down and I was like 'Okay, here we go,'" said Patricia. "And then he got up and I was like 'Uh, oh, we've got a problem."
"Uh oh. We got a problem." 😳
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) May 1, 2026
Matt Patricia recounts when Ohio State went against Fernando Mendoza this past collegiate season@IndianaFootball | @Raiders pic.twitter.com/8g16SiWzXK
Patricia knew he had an elite defense, but he also knew solving Mendoza was an extremely tough task. Patricia has continued to sing Mendoza's praises since that contest back in December.
“I love this guy,” Patricia said on Good Morning Football. “I think he was probably the most challenging quarterbacks we faced all year. A guy that can make all the throws on the field. Very smart. Really good in the pocket...And I just have to say, tough, I mean straight tough. Caden Curry hit him so hard."
Patricia added that he is excited to see what Mendoza can do in the NFL. "I know for a fact he's been working really hard getting ready for his moments. He's been studying tape. He's been trying to figure out defenses and scheme and just trying to get a look at what the NFL defense looks like compared to college defenses. I'm excited, I think that's a great pick for the Raiders. We'll see what he does."
Mendoza made history in multiple ways with his No. 1 overall selection by the Raiders. He became the second Hoosier to be a No. 1 overall pick following Richard Corbett "Corby" Davis in 1938, and he became just the fourth quarterback to ever win the Heisman Trophy, National Championship, and become a No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick in the same season. He joins Angelo Bertelli (1943-44), Cam Newton (2010-11), and Joe Burrow (2019-20) in that exclusive club.
He heads to a Raiders franchise looking to get back on track, and figures to have every opportunity to be the Week 1 starter. Mendoza is sure to take a fair share of hard hits in the NFL, but his elite toughness and tenacity have him ready to make an immediate impact.
Add us as a preferred source on Google