Indiana is 6-0 on the season for the second season in a row, and quarterback Fernando Mendoza has a lot to do with it. Knowing that his quarterback Kurtis Rourke would be leaving after the 2024 season, head coach Curt Cignetti knew he needed to go out and get a quarterback in the transfer portal, and he just might have found the best one.
Mendoza has been solid for the Hoosiers this season, the steady hand when games have been a little closer than usual, but always able to deliver when needed. That is exactly what happened today against No. 3 Oregon in No. 7 Indiana's big 30-20 win.
An ELECTRIC postgame interview with @IndianaFootball QB Fernando Mendoza (@JennyDell_ ) pic.twitter.com/HPVkaKPsrb
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 11, 2025
When the Hoosiers were only up by a touchdown, but driving late in the fourth quarter, Mendoza just had to keep the ball moving and take time off the clock. Scoring in any way would make it a two-possession game, and a field goal with a little over two minutes left did just that.
Before that, Mendoza picked the best time to throw his first touchdown pass of the game with a little under seven minutes left in the game. The Cal transfer hit Elijah Sarratt for an eight-yard touchdown pass to give the Hoosiers the lead. The Indiana defense took over from there, and Indiana was able to walk away with the big win, and Mendoza is probably walking away as the new Heisman front-runner.
There is no doubt that Fernando Mendoza is the new Heisman Trophy front runner
In all seriousness, there isn't another quarterback in the country right now who is playing better than Mendoza. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer looked to be running away in the race, but an injury and now a rough game against Texas have pushed him back. Mendoza beating Dante Moore has firmly put him ahead of the Oregon quarterback.
Garrett Nussmeir has not impressed nearly as much as many thought he would, and the same goes for Texas quarterback Arch Manning. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin has looked good, but there is a real argument that Mendoza has played tougher opponents with Texas now unranked.
Mendoza, after today's big win, now has 1,208 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with only one interception on the season. He also has a very impressive completion percentage of 73%, which is one of the highest in the country.
This win will certainly put the spotlight on not just Indiana, but Mendoza as well, and if he isn't the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy after this week, then he will just do what Indiana does best: use that disrespect for the rest of the season.