Fernando Mendoza once again cemented his status as a genuine NFL draft prospect. He portrayed a masterclass performance, leading Indiana to a resounding 63-10 victory over No. 9 Illinois. He completed 21 of 23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdown passes. His poise stood out as he handled the rush, standing tall against seven defenders to fire a clutch 5-yard touchdown pass. But the best part of it all? Curt Cignetti’s method is bearing fruit for the offense.

The Hoosiers’ head coach watched Mendoza’s journey up close since he arrived from Cal. And he has been singing nothing but praise. Early in the season, Mendoza was a work in progress. He was grappling with patience in the pocket, reading, and decision-making under pressure. But that all changed fast. The completion rate jumped fro

See Full Page