UPDATE: In a historic moment for college football, Fernando Mendoza, the dynamic quarterback for No. 1 Indiana, has just been awarded the Heisman Trophy. This monumental achievement makes him the first Hoosier to win the prestigious honor since the trophy’s inception in 1935.
Mendoza secured an impressive 2,362 first-place votes, outpacing Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who garnered 1,435 votes, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, with 719 votes. The victory highlights Mendoza’s incredible season where he threw for 2,980 yards and led the nation with 33 touchdown passes, also adding six rushing touchdowns.
This season, Indiana achieved its first-ever No. 1 ranking and will face off in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2024. Mendoza’s performance has been pivotal in guiding the Hoosiers to an unbeaten record, making a significant impact on the program’s history.
Mendoza, a redshirt junior, transitioned from California to become Indiana’s first-year starter. His leadership has propelled the team to surpass last season’s records for touchdowns and points, setting a high bar for the future. He joins the elite ranks of past Heisman finalists from Indiana, alongside Anthony Thompson, who finished as a runner-up in 1989.
Moreover, Mendoza’s recognition as The Associated Press Player of the Year adds weight to his Heisman win, as he also claimed the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards earlier this week. This marks a watershed moment for Indiana, now featuring back-to-back players in the Heisman top ten, with quarterback Kurtis Rourke finishing ninth last year.
In a season dominated by quarterbacks, Mendoza’s achievement underscores a trend where four of the last five Heisman winners have been signal-callers.
Pavia, who made headlines as the first Heisman finalist in Vanderbilt history, also had a standout season, throwing for a school-record 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns. Vanderbilt’s success, including a historic 10-win season and four victories against ranked teams, showcases the rising competitiveness of the program.
As for Love, despite his outstanding performance for Notre Dame, which included rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, the team missed a CFP bid and will not compete in a bowl game. Love made history with multiple long touchdown runs, solidifying his place among the elite running backs this season.
As Mendoza and his fellow nominees celebrate their accolades, all eyes will be on the upcoming playoffs, where each player will aim to continue their remarkable seasons. With the Heisman now awarded, fans are eager to see how these athletes will perform on the national stage.
Stay tuned for further updates on the College Football Playoff and additional Heisman-related developments as the season progresses.