Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza embraced the moment after leading his team to a 27-21 victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game held on Monday night in Miami Gardens, Florida. During a postgame interview with ESPN, the typically polite Mendoza expressed his excitement by letting out an expletive, exclaiming, “Let”s f—ing go!” while wearing a broad smile.
Mendoza”s outburst was notable given his usual demeanor. Known for his Christian faith and clean-cut responses, this moment marked a significant shift from his typical interview style. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner reflected on the unprecedented moment as Indiana celebrated its first-ever football national championship after completing a historic 16-0 season. “I”d say overall my emotion, it”s the pinnacle peak,” Mendoza stated. “All season, sometimes I”ve had these cookie-cutter responses and media-trained responses, where it”s been like, “On to the next game, on to the next play.” And now, we did it. We did it. So, at that point, I think it was only fitting to kind of open the floodgates, per se, try to break my stereotype.”
Throughout the undefeated regular season and the playoff run, Mendoza”s polished interview technique became a point of discussion among college football fans. After the Hoosiers secured the Big Ten title against Ohio State on December 6, he also showed his enthusiasm by declaring, “The Hoosiers are flippin” champs!” during a live interview with sideline reporter Jenny Taft.
Despite some skepticism from fans regarding Mendoza”s exuberance and modest persona, his brother Alberto Mendoza, who is Indiana”s primary backup quarterback and has recently entered the transfer portal, affirmed the authenticity of his brother”s demeanor. “People might think it”s fake, but it”s 100 percent him,” he said.
In the championship game, Mendoza”s performance included a memorable 12-yard touchdown run, highlighted by a Superman-like leap over two Miami defenders, which gave the Hoosiers a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Given the stakes and the culmination of a remarkable season, it is hard to argue that the quarterback didn”t deserve to let a jubilant expletive slip. He truly is the flippin” champ.
