Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti was overjoyed to see his quarterback win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. Fernando Mendoza walked away with the award, after a truly memorable season with the Hoosiers. Cignetti had a blunt message for his play caller after the announcement.
“Great job, bro. You deserve that one,” Cignetti said to Mendoza after the win, per ESPN.
The Indiana quarterback led his team to the Big Ten championship this season. Indiana football finished the regular season with a 12-0 record, and is 13-0 heading into the College Football Playoff.
In just two seasons at Indiana, Cignetti has led the Hoosiers to two appearances in the CFP. Indiana is the overall no. 1 seed heading into the playoff this postseason.
Other Heisman Trophy finalists this season included Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Mendoza is the first Indiana player ever to win the Heisman.
Fernando Mendoza is now going for a national championship
Mendoza transferred into Indiana, after playing at California. He has posted incredible numbers this season. The quarterback now has 33 passing touchdowns on the season, to just six interceptions.
“This trophy might have my name on it,” Mendoza said at the lectern Saturday night, after winning the prestigious award. “But it belongs to all of you, it belongs, for the first time, in Bloomington. Playing in front of Hoosier Nation is one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
Mendoza has 2,980 passing yards this season. He overcame an injury on the first drive of the Big Ten title game against Ohio State, to come back and win the game in the second half.
“I haven't seen the numbers yet,” Mendoza said about the final vote tally for the Heisman. “But it's such an honor to be mentioned with these guys [Pavia, Love and Sayin]. It's really a credit to our team. It's a team award.”
Indiana football fans hope that Mendoza can continue his special season, with a national championship.
