Fernando Mendoza wins Heisman Trophy, becomes Indiana's first winner

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Fernando Mendoza wins Heisman Trophy, becomes Indiana's first winner

Fernando Mendoza wins Heisman Trophy, becomes Indiana's first winner

Scooby Axson, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Sun, Dec 14, 2025 ·

5 min read

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NEW YORK – Indiana redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the school's first Heisman Memorial Trophy as college football's most outstanding player Saturday night, capping a stunning two-year turnaround for the Hoosiers , the No. 1 seed in this year's College Football Playoff .

Mendoza coming out of nowhere to win the award is an understatement, as he was not listed on any of the Heisman Trophy oddsmakers' lists or the Big Ten Conference 's preseason honors lists.

None of that mattered to the 22-year-old Miami, Florida product, as he completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards. He led the nation with 33 touchdown passes (an Indiana school record), ranked second in passer rating, and was the third Big Ten quarterback since 2000 with three-straight games of at least four passing touchdowns and no interceptions.

More: Fernando Mendoza steps into Heisman spotlight as Indiana's reluctant star

Who is No. 1? Ranking best, worst Heisman Trophy winners since 2000

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates after the Indiana vs. Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza poses with the Heisman Trophy on Saturday at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.
(Michael Niziolek, The Herald-Times)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter during the 2025 Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) holds the MVP trophy on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, after winning the Big Ten football championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 06: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Dec 6, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with the MVP trophy after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
(Robert Goddin, Robert Goddin-Imagn Images)

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) gets loose before the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates following the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. Ohio State lost 13-10.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with the MVP trophy following the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. Ohio State lost 13-10.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to Riley Nowakowski (37) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates after throwing a touchdown Nov. 1, 2025 during the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
(Tommy Gilligan, Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)

Nov 8, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) warms up prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O'Haren, Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)

STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 8: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 8, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. The Indiana Hoosiers defeat Penn State Nittany Lions, 27-24. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
(Isaiah Vazquez, Getty Images)

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts to a play in the fourth quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium on November 01, 2025 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)

Nov 1, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) speaks with a referee before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) before the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) after defeating the Oregon Ducks by the score of 30-20 at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) prepares to throw the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)

Mendoza becomes the first Heisman winner from the Big Ten since Ohio State QB Troy Smith won in 2006.

A quarterback winning the Heisman is, of course, no surprise now that 20 of the past 24 winners played the position. Three Alabama players — running backs Mark Ingram (2009), Derrick Henry (2015), and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (2020) — and last year's winner, two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado, are the only non-quarterbacks who have had their personalized identity engraved on the nameplate of the 45-pound trophy.

Mendoza, who transferred to Indiana from Cal this past offseason, received 643 first-place votes and 2,362 total points. Diego Pavia, who put the perennial cellar-dweller Vanderbilt on the map and led them to their first 10-win season in 122 seasons of playing football, was second in the voting (189 first-place votes, 1,435 points).

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love came in third (46, 719) and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin was fourth (8, 432).

Mendoza was on 95.16% of the total ballots and won all six voting regions.

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was fifth in the balloting (and got 17 first-place votes), followed by Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King rounded out the top 10.

2024: Travis Hunter, Colorado
(Lucas Boland, Imagn Images)

2023: Jayden Daniels, LSU
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

2022: Caleb Williams, USC
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

2021: Bryce Young, Alabama

(Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

2020: DeVonta Smith, Alabama

(Kent Gidley/Heisman Trophy Trust via Getty Images)

2019: Joe Burrow, LSU
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

2018: Kyler Murray, Oklahoma

(Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

2017: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
(Todd J. Van Emst, USA TODAY Sports)

2016: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
(Todd J. Van Emst, Heisman Trust/USA TODAY Sports)

2015: Derrick Henry, Alabama
(Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

2014: Marcus Mariota, Oregon
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

2012: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
(2012: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M)

2011: Robert Griffin III, Baylor
(Jerry Lai, US PRESSWIRE)

2010: Cam Newton, Auburn
(John Reed, US PRESSWIRE)

2009: Mark Ingram, Alabama
(Shawn O'Connor, US PRESSWIRE)

2008: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
(James Lang, US PRESSWIRE)

2007: Tim Tebow, Florida
(Bob Donnan, US PRESSWIRE)

2006: Troy Smith, Ohio State
(Matthew Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)

2005: Reggie Bush, USC
(Peter Brouillet, USA TODAY Sports)

2004: Matt Leinart, USC
(Peter Brouillet, USA TODAY Sports)

2003: Jason White, Oklahoma
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

2002: Carson Palmer, USC
(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)

2001: Eric Crouch, Nebraska
(Elsa, Getty Images)

2000: Chris Weinke, Florida State
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Network via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

1999: Ron Dayne, Wisconsin
(Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

1998: Ricky Williams, Texas
(US PRESSWIRE)

1997: Charles Woodson, Michigan
(US PRESSWIRE)

1996: Danny Wuerffel, Florida
(RVR Photos, USA TODAY Sports)

1995: Eddie George, Ohio State
(Matthew Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)

1994: Rashaan Salaam, Colorado
(Tim DeFrisco, Getty Images)

1993: Charlie Ward, Florida State
(US PRESSWIRE)

1992: Gino Torretta, Miami (Fla.)
(US PRESSWIRE)

1991: Desmond Howard, Michigan
(RVR Photos, USA TODAY Sports)

1990: Ty Detmer, BYU
(Mike Powell, Getty Images)

1989: Andre Ware, Houston
(Joe Patronite, Getty Images)

1988: Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State
(Malcolm Emmons, US Presswire)

1987: Tim Brown, Notre Dame
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

1986: Vinny Testaverde, Miami
(US PRESSWIRE)

1985: Bo Jackson, Auburn
(Manny Rubio, USA TODAY Sports)

1984: Doug Flutie, Boston College
(Paul Rutherford, USA TODAY Sports)

1983: Mike Rozier, Nebraska
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)

1982: Herschel Walker, Georgia
(Manny Rubio, USA TODAY Sports)

1981: Marcus Allen, USC
(Long Photography, USA TODAY Sports)

1980: George Rogers, South Carolina
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)

1979: Charles White, USC
(Long Photography, USA TODAY Sports)

1978: Billy Sims, Oklahoma
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)

1977: Earl Campbell, Texas
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)

1976: Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)

1974 and 1975: Archie Griffin, Ohio State
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)

Before getting back to business and preparing for the College Football Playoff, where the top-seeded Hoosiers will take on the winner of No. 8 seed Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, Mendoza, who is full‑time Master of Business Administration student at Indiana's Kelley School of Business, spent the week racking up lots of other awards, taking home the Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Walter Camp Award and the AP College Football Player of the Year award.

Mendoza's journey to the top of college football was a story in itself. Playing at Christopher Columbus High School, a private Catholic school, he was a two-star recruit and was ranked the 72nd-best quarterback prospect in his class by ESPN. With only one Power Four scholarship offer, Mendoza initially committed to Yale before shifting his focus to California.

Even after arriving at Berkeley, he didn't find immediate success, redshirting in 2022, but took control the next season, starting the final eight games for the Bears. Over three seasons at Cal, he threw 30 touchdowns, achieving that success despite playing for three different offensive coordinators.

But transferring 2,200 miles east to Bloomington proved an easy decision, as his younger brother, Alberto, was already on the roster as a quarterback and he had earned his undergraduate degree from Cal in just three years. And despite a playoff appearance last season, Indiana still entered the season with the most losses in college football history, was 9-27 in the three seasons before coach Curt Cignetti arrived, and had not won a bowl game since 1991.

This season, with expectations through the roof, the Hoosiers were ranked No. 19 in the preseason AFCA Coaches Poll, and they dominated their first eight opponents, including a major road win against then-No. 3 Oregon, setting the stage for Mendoza's two Heisman moments.

On Nov. 8, the Hoosiers trailed Penn State 24-20 with 1:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Despite being sacked on the drive's first play, Mendoza completed four straight passes before delivering the game-winning throw, a strike to Omar Cooper Jr., who made an exceptional catch for a 7-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone with 36 seconds remaining to finish the 10-play, 80-yard drive and keep their undefeated season alive.

In the season's biggest moment in the Big Ten Championship game against top-ranked Ohio State, Mendoza led Indiana on a crucial drive to start the second half, completing a 51-yarder to Charlie Becker before throwing his only touchdown pass, a 17-yarder to Elijah Sarratt.

He then clinched the game late in the fourth quarter, connecting with Becker again for a 33-yard gain to convert a third down, allowing Indiana to run down most of the clock and win their first Big Ten championship since 1967.

Now, Mendoza, who is the seventh transfer to win the Heisman in the last nine years, will attempt to lead his team to another unprecedented accomplishment – a first national championship.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fernando Mendoza wins 2025 Heisman Trophy, becoming Indiana's first winner

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See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

See 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in action for Indiana Hoosiers

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Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974

Heisman Trophy winners since 1974