Fernando Mendoza on Indiana football running game
The Hoosiers quarterback was more than OK with sacrificing some of his Heisman campaign in a victory. Here’s what he said.
Indiana football continues to make history under Curt Cignetti, as the Hoosiers have quickly become one of the top college football programs in the country in just a two-year span.
This season, a large reason behind the Hoosiers’ undefeated 9-0 start and No. 2 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll has been the stellar play of Cal transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy-caliber season has helped Indiana continue what is arguably the best run in program history. It is the first time Indiana has won eight games in back-to-back seasons since the Hoosiers went 16-7-1 in 1987-88.
Through the first 10 weeks of the season, the 6-foot-5 quarterback has guided the Indiana offense to the No. 1 scoring offense (46.4 points per game) in the country while ranking individually in the top five of several passing categories among FBS quarterbacks, including touchdowns (25) and completion percentage (72.3%).
But Mendoza isn’t the only Hoosiers quarterback with that name who is helping lead Indiana. Here’s what to know:
Are Fernando Mendoza and Alberto Mendoza related?
Yes, Fernando Mendoza is the older brother of Alberto Mendoza, the latter of whom is a redshirt freshman on the Hoosiers’ roster.
The two brothers hail from Miami, where they played high school football for Christopher Columbus High School.
As noted by the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, the possibility for Fernando Mendoza to play with his younger brother was a contributing factor when he chose the Hoosiers from the transfer portal this offseason. Alberto Mendoza redshirted in 2024 after he initially committed to play for Cignetti at James Madison.
“I think having my little brother there, who’s my best friend and the person who pushes me the hardest, it was great to have that, to see his perspective on the coaching staff, the culture,” Fernando Mendoza told the IndyStar in January following his transfer.
In Indiana’s 56-9 win over Kennesaw State on Saturday, Sept. 6, the Mendoza brothers became the first set of brothers to throw a touchdown in the same game for the same team since Brandon Allen and Austin Allen at Arkansas, in 2015, against UT-Martin. Alberto Mendoza threw his first career touchdown pass with the Hoosiers after his brother threw four.
“It was fantastic,” Fernando Mendoza said. “I want to give all the glory to God on that. That was amazing to be here with him and have that partnership that we’re working together, trying to push each other to get better and get the Hoosiers as many wins as possible.”
Since that moment, the two have thrown at least one touchdown in two additional games, against Indiana State and Maryland. Alberto Mendoza finished with a rushing touchdown vs. UCLA, but did not throw a touchdown pass in the win.
Fernando Mendoza stats
Here’s a look at Fernando Mendoza’s stats this season at Indiana:
- Passing: 162 of 224 passing (72.3%) for 2,124 yards with 25 touchdowns and four interceptions
- Rushing: 50 carries for 220 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns
Alberto Mendoza stats
Here’s a look at Alberto Mendoza’s stats this season at Indiana:
- Passing: 15 of 21 passing (71.4%) for 204 yards with four touchdowns and an interception
- Rushing: Eight carries for 123 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown
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