QB of the Week: Fernando Mendoza Shines in Indiana’s Statement Win

Week four is when the real contenders begin separating themselves—freshmen making their mark, veterans proving their staying power and teams showing whether they’re built for the grind of the season. This week, one quarterback elevated his program’s ceiling in a statement win: Fernando Mendoza of No. 11 Indiana (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten).

In a head-to-head matchup against No. 23 Illinois (3-1, 0-1), Mendoza delivered a near-flawless performance, leading then-No. 19 Indiana to a dominant 63-10 victory against the then-No. 9 Fighting Illini and solidifying himself as one of the Big Ten’s most efficient signal-callers.

In the win Mendoza complete 91.3 percent of his passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns. He also averaged 11.6 yards per passing attempt and was sacked just twice.

What Made Him Stand Out

Pinpoint Accuracy

Mendoza was lethal from the pocket, putting the ball exactly where it needed to be. His receivers rarely had to adjust, which allowed Indiana’s playmakers to turn completions into chunk gains.

Decision-Making

Displaying maturity beyond his years, Mendoza never forced the issue. He stayed patient, worked through his reads and consistently made the right choice. His five touchdowns came from precision execution rather than desperation throws.

Footwork & Mechanics

Every dropback looked controlled and balanced. Mendoza’s foundation in the pocket allowed him to stay tall, keep his throwing motion clean and execute the offense with surgical efficiency.

Why It Matters

In a week where multiple quarterbacks across the country posted big numbers, Mendoza’s performance stood out for its efficiency, rhythm and total command of the game. Indiana’s offense didn’t just move the ball—it thrived, and Mendoza was the heartbeat of that success.

For a program sitting comfortably in the top 15 of the rankings, Mendoza’s steady hand could be the difference-maker as the Hoosiers prepare for tougher Big Ten battles ahead.

Key Play Analysis

Play 1: The defense appears to be in Cover 1 Robber, a man coverage scheme that features one safety playing the middle of the field. The receiver beat the corner and the safety to the spot. Mendoza saw it and delivered a beautiful pass. One key thing to note is how Mendoza held the strong safety with his eyes—this led to the receiver being able to exploit the gap. The strong safety froze trying to read the quarterback’s eyes.