Indiana Announces Fernando Mendoza News on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Dec 11, 2025 2:01 PM ET

The Indiana Hoosiers have had an incredible 2025 season thus far. With an undefeated 13-0 record, Indiana is the No. 1 team in the country and the Big Ten champions heading into the College Football Playoff. One of the main reasons for the Hoosiers' success has been the play of quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza, a junior from Miami, Florida, is in his first year with Indiana after playing the past two years with the California Golden Bears. So far this season, Mendoza has completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards and a nationwide-leading 33 touchdowns.

The 22-year-old quarterback has also been accurate, throwing only six interceptions on 316 passing attempts this year.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions.© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Mendoza's unbelievable season has not gone unrecognized. He was named the Big Ten Championship MVP after the game against Ohio State. He was also recognized by the conference as a First Team All-Big Ten selection and was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

These accolades are just the beginning for Mendoza, who hopes to bring home a Heisman Trophy on Saturday in New York City.

On Thursday, some other award news was released as Ohio State announced that Mendoza was recognized as the AP College Football Player of the Year for 2025.

The @AP College Football Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/PaRjBhQ15U
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) December 11, 2025

With this news on Thursday, Mendoza became the first-ever Indiana player to win the award that has been given by the Associated Press to the top college football player in the country annually since 1998.

Despite the awards, Mendoza will look to stay focused for Indiana's College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against the winner between the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners on New Year's Day at 4 p.m. ET.

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

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