Tony Thomas
Writer
The great piano crooner Billy Joel wrote a song in 1976 called “New York State of Mind.” Almost 50 years later, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza experienced the same euphoria as he hoisted the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, the first in school history.
Before Saturday, the closest Indiana ever came to sniffing a Heisman was 1989 when Hoosiers running back Anthony Thompson was runner-up to Houston Cougars QB Andre Ware.
Mendoza, the transfer from CAL, led the Hoosiers to an undefeated regular season (12-0), one that included a Heisman moment on the road in Happy Valley against Penn State.
Against the Nittany Lions, Mendoza led the Hoosiers on a game-winning drive that resulted in a Mendoza to Omar Cooper Jr. touchdown pass that snatched a 27-24 victory from the jaws of Penn State fans.
Then in the Big Ten Championship Game vs. Ohio State, Mendoza doubled-down and solidified his candidacy for the most coveted award in college football. In the third quarter, with his team down 10-6 to the Buckeyes, Mendoza threw a 17-yard strike to Elijah Sarratt for the go-ahead score of 13-10.
Then the Indiana defense held the Buckeyes scoreless in the second half to preserve their victory and secure their first Big Ten title since 1967 and their first victory over the Buckeyes since 1988.
During this historic season for the Hoosiers, Mendoza became the only FBS quarterback since 1996 to record three games with four or more touchdown passes and 90 percent completion percentage (against Indiana State, Illinois and Wisconsin).
In addition, Mendoza led the Big Ten in touchdown passes with 33. He did not throw his first INT until week five on the road at Iowa. He threw just six picks all season and completed 71.5 percent of his passes.
In addition to adding the Heisman to his trophy case, Mendoza also won the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Associated Press (AP) Player of the Year and a Walter Camp All-American.
Not too shabby for young man who earned his bachelor’s degree from CAL in just three years and only wants to win football games. Thirteen and counting.
Mendoza and the Hoosiers have earned the top seed in the playoffs and a bye. Indiana will take on the winner of Alabama vs. Oklahoma.
While hoisting the Heisman Trophy as the newest-member of an elite fraternity of gridiron greats is a grand accomplishment all its own, Mendoza has but one goal: hoist the national championship trophy on stage in front of his family and friends in his hometown of Miami on January 19.
Owen Tyler
Writer
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Cody Croy
Writer
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