Indiana Hoosier junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza was recently featured in an interview with Dave Revsine of The Big Ten Network.
"It filled our parents' hearts with joy." 🤗
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 8, 2025
🗣️ Fernando Mendoza on him and younger brother, Alberto, throwing a TD in the same game for the first time in their careers#B1GToday pic.twitter.com/64onDk8ltz
Through two games, Fernando Mendoza is 36 of 56 passing, for 438 passing yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also rushed nine times for 53 yards and a rushing touchdowns.
Mendoza had a better showing in week two, he struggled out of the gate in his debut with the Hoosiers versus Old Dominion. Mendoza threw for 193 yards and added 33 rushing yards and a score in the victory, 27-14 victory over the Monarchs. He was 18 of 31 passing which accounts for a 58.1 percent completion rate, for reference he threw for 72.0 % this past week versus Kennesaw State.
The Cal transfer showed full control of the Curt Cignetti and Mike Shanahan offense, where he showcased his strong arm on several passes he threw to his targets, including Elijah Sarratt who had 9 catches for 97 yards and three touchdowns a career high (tied).
His big size and strong arm make him a talented quarterback who could rise up the Heisman Trophy race and NFL draft boards in the near future, if he continues to build with the Indiana offense. No. 22 Indiana gets a warm up game against Indiana State on Friday, but the next three weeks to follow will be big tests for Mendoza and the Hoosiers as they go up against No. 9 Illinois on Sept. 20, Iowa’s tough defense on Sept. 27, and No. 4 Oregon on Oct. 11.
The Hoosiers return to the field on Friday evening against Indiana State (6:30 p.m. ET, BTN) at Memorial Stadium on Merchants Field.
Watch the full interview below with the B1G Network: