Indiana junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza was named the Maxwell Award Player of the Week. The Maxwell Award is one of the most prestigious honors and is presented annually to the college football player deemed the most outstanding by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and coaches.
Menedoza ranks second nationally in passing efficiency (206.16 rating), 11th in total QBR (84.5) and has zero turnovers on the season, making him the only quarterback in the Big Ten with zero turnovers on the season that has started every game.
In their 63-10 victory, the Hoosiers were nearly perfect on offense when Mendoza was out there, as Indiana was able to score a touchdown on six of the eight drives by the redshirt junior quarterback. Mendoza himself was also close to perfection on completions, going 21-for-23 through the air.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mendoza’s Heisman moment has him in the Heisman Trophy conversation — an award no Hoosier has won. He’s the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman at +800, according toFanDuel Sportsbook.
On the season Mendoza has 975 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions with a 76.8% completion rate. He has also has 22 rushes for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
"“I want to serve my teammates,” Mendoza said. “And my goal is really to serve my teammates, and praise God. Those are really my two goals.” "
🏈 @IndianaFootball ‘s @qb_fernando is the #MaxwellAward Player of the Week!#MaxwellFootball pic.twitter.com/rB2RwIfgmE
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) September 23, 2025
Next up for No. 11 Indiana (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) they take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1), 0-0 Big Ten in Iowa City, Iowa at 3:30pm.
Established in 1935, the Maxwell Football Club has played a pivotal role in recognizing and celebrating football talent across various levels. Over its more than seventy-five years of operation, the Club has been at the forefront of honoring players who show exceptional promise. This dedication to identifying talent early on has led many Maxwell Award recipients to achieve significant success in professional football, with several becoming iconic figures in the sport.
The Maxwell Award, first presented in 1937, was named in tribute to Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, a notable figure in football. This award aimed to recognize the most outstanding college football player of the year and quickly became one of the sport’s most prestigious honors.