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Mendoza may have sealed Heisman with performance against Wisconsin
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) prepares to throw the ball during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Incredible Fernando Mendoza may have sealed Heisman with near-flawless performance against Wisconsin

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza has an iron-clad case for the 2025 Heisman Trophy after a near-flawless Week 12 performance.

Mendoza ended a 31-7 win over the Wisconsin Badgers 22-of-24 for 299 yards and four touchdowns. He completed his final 12 passes, including all 11 in the second half, for 160 yards and two touchdowns. As ESPN's Field Yates noted on social media, Saturday's game was Mendoza's third this season in which he had a completion percentage of at least 90% on 20 or more pass attempts. Per Stathead research, that's the most in FBS since at least 1995.

Fernando Mendoza strengthens Heisman candidacy in win over Wisconsin

Mendoza had his Heisman moment during a winning drive late in the fourth quarter on Nov. 8 at Penn State, and he may have sealed the sport's highest individual honor with his unreal game against the Badgers, finishing with twice as many touchdowns as incompletions.

His fourth touchdown set the Indiana single-season program record for passing touchdowns, giving him 30 against five interceptions.

Mendoza has stiff competition for this year's award, including from Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.

All have had memorable moments in recent weeks, keeping pressure on Mendoza. Instead of ceding ground, however, he's solidified himself as the Heisman front-runner.

Indiana is in uncharted territory, improving to 11-0 for the first time in program history on Saturday. In four weeks, Mendoza could break more ground by winning the university's first Heisman. After Week 12, he should probably go ahead and start practicing his acceptance speech.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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