(Video) ‘Pumped Up’ Fernando Mendoza Goes Viral After Knocking No.1 Ohio State out, Makes His Case for Heisman

Fernando Mendoza threw for 222 yards, threw one touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt, and one interception against the Buckeyes.

(Video) ‘Pumped Up’ Fernando Mendoza Goes Viral After Knocking No.1 Ohio State out, Makes His Case for Heisman

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Fernando Mendoza defied the odds on Saturday (December 6). He anchored a 13-10 win against #1-ranked Ohio State to clinch the 2025 BIG Ten Championship for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Mendoza threw 15 completions from 23 pass attempts for 222 yards, threw one touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt, and one interception. The Hoosiers went 13-0 and secured their first conference title in the program’s history.

After the game, an emotional Mendoza spoke with FOX Sports sideline reporter Jenny Taft after the final whistle. Mendoza started his speech by thanking the Almighty.

I want to give all the glory to God. We were never supposed to be in this position, but by the Glory of God, with great coaches and great teammates… we were to pull this off [win BIG Ten Championship].

Fernando Mendoza said

Sarratt scored the game-winning touchdown for IU, but Mendoza’s go-to target was his roommate, Charlie Becker. The sophomore wide receiver caught 6 passes for 126 yards, including a 51-yard snag in the third quarter from Mendoza. Not to mention, Becker’s clutch catch to prolong the Hoosiers’ drive in the final quarter.

Taft brought up Mendoza’s connection with Becker and asked how the relationship has impacted his Heisman bid.

Charlie has been… Every single day in the summer, we were always throwing before practice, before 7 a.m. on Sundays, doing spots, doing routes, and now you see it has come to fruition. His my roommate… and our defense played lights out. What an incredible moment.

Fernando Mendoza said

Mendoza is currently among the three favorites to become the best player in college football alongside the Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin and Vanderbilt signal caller Diego Pavia. The 22-year-old furthered his case for the Heisman Trophy with that statement victory over the defending CFP champions.

Ex-Heisman Trophy winner takes a cheap shot at Fernando Mendoza following the win against Ohio State

Johnny Manziel was a phenomenal player during his days as the quarterback of Texas A&M, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Manziel, who turned 33 on the same day as IU’s Championship-winning game, posted a questionable tweet against their quarterback.

(Video) 'Pumped Up' Fernando Mendoza Goes Viral After Knocking No.1 Ohio State out, Makes His Case for Heisman
Fernando Mendoza (Image via IMAGO)

He wasn’t too happy with critics labeling Mendoza’s pass to Becker in the final quarter as a Heisman moment.

We got basic fade routes being called Heisman moments now… I’ve really seen it all. Congrats to Indiana, though, that’s a hell of a win.

Johnny Manziel tweeted

Manziel’s tweet opened Pandora’s box. He quickly faced backlash for his ill-advised statement.

Manziel never had a stable NFL career. He played two seasons for the Cleveland Browns before bouncing around different leagues across the continent. Currently, he operates a YouTube channel.

Mendoza may not be as highly regarded as Manziel was, but he has shown grit. Leaving Cal for Indiana was a leap of faith that worked out in his favor. He finished the 2025 college football season with 226 completions for 2980 yards (71.5% completion), threw 33 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions, while also racking up 240 yards on the ground and 6 rushing touchdowns.

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