Indiana is set to make history as the team heads to its first national championship game after a decisive 56-22 victory over Oregon in the Peach Bowl. For quarterback Fernando Mendoza, this game represents a unique opportunity to culminate a remarkable season in the city where his journey began.
This season has been nothing short of groundbreaking for Indiana. The team captured its first Big Ten title since 1967, defeated Ohio State for the first time since 1988, secured the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, and clinched its first Rose Bowl. Additionally, Mendoza achieved a significant milestone by becoming the program”s first Heisman Trophy winner.
Following his standout performance, where he threw five touchdown passes against Oregon, Mendoza and the Hoosiers have one last challenge: defeating Miami on their home field during the championship showdown.
Mendoza”s connection to Miami is personal, as he grew up in the area and attended Christopher Columbus High School, located just thirty minutes from Hard Rock Stadium. “I”ve actually not played in Hard Rock before, but I”ve been to a lot of games there,” he remarked. “It”s a very full circle moment. If you open Google Maps and put my address to the University of Miami campus, it”s under a mile away.”
His ties to the Hurricanes run deeper, as his father was a high school teammate of Miami head coach Mario Cristobal. Mendoza has a history with the Hurricanes, having played two seasons at California, including the program”s first year in the ACC in 2024, before transferring to Indiana in 2025. He faced Miami once, in October 2024, where he threw for 285 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a narrow 39-38 defeat.
“They did switch defensive coordinators and last year was a very different offensive scheme as well,” Mendoza noted, reflecting on the previous game. “It was a tight game. Cam Ward, who ended up being the No. 1 overall pick. That game came down to the wire… We lost that one by one point. It was heartbreaking, so just looking for the opportunity to play them again.”
Mendoza has demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, with the Peach Bowl being a prime example. He completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns, adding 28 rushing yards on six carries and achieving an impressive passer rating of 241.8.
