For Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, it was a night to remember this past Saturday. A 63-10 thrashing against the Illinois Fighting Illini left few questions about whether last year’s College Football Playoff run by then-first-year coach Curt Cignetti was a fluke.
Thus far, it has been anything but. The Hoosiers now sit at 4-0, and the national media is beginning to take notice more specifically of Mendoza. Mendoza’s five touchdown passes coincided with a stat line that saw him finish 21-for-23 for 267 yards and a completion percentage of 91.3 percent.
The win was just as shocking as it was statement-making, and now, even in mid-September, the way-too-early Heisman Trophy predictions are beginning to circulate for the former Cal-Berkley quarterback.
CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah suggested Mendoza as a smart choice to win the award if the season ended today.
“Could an Indiana quarterback win the Heisman Trophy?” Jeyarajah asked. “He’s going to give voters plenty to think about.”
The Hoosiers’ schedule gets tougher from here, as the next major date to circle is Saturday, Oct. 11, when they take on the defending Big Ten champion Oregon Ducks in Eugene. The loser could be in must-win mode by then to make the College Football Playoff, barring both teams are still unbeaten, while the winner will be in the driver’s seat for a possible unbeaten regular season.
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If Saturday night’s game proved anything, the Hoosiers are a juggernaut that doesn’t get rattled by doubters or disrespect.
“We broke their will,” Cignetti said of Illinois.
The Hoosiers travel to Iowa City this Saturday to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.
