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Fernando Mendoza was bloodied after taking vicious hit

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Jan 20, 2026 10:11 AM ET

The Miami Hurricanes made sure to make Fernando Mendoza feel them early in their clash for the College Football Playoff title.

Mendoza took a huge hit on a run fake in the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Hoosiers quarterback got clocked by Hurricanes safety Jakobe Thomas moments after making the handoff to running back Kaelon Black.

Miami is absolutely DRILLING Fernando Mendoza whenever they can. Bloodied his lip and everything pic.twitter.com/4V6wzkEp6p
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) January 20, 2026

The collision busted up Mendoza’s lip. The Heisman Trophy winner was seen with blood seeping out of his mouth for the remainder of the drive.

Fernando Mendoza took a hit on this play pic.twitter.com/phaZoT2X92
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026

Mendoza was later seen wiping it off on the sideline and eventually returned to the field with no issues.

Some fans felt like Thomas should have been called for a targeting penalty for his damaging hit against Mendoza, pointing to the Indiana QB’s bloodied lip as clear evidence. But referees kept their flags in their pockets, likely chalking it up to increased physicality for the final game of the college football season.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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