Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza added another highlight to the Hoosiers’ special 2025 season when he became the program’s first Heisman Trophy winner Saturday night in New York.

Mendoza, a three-star prospect out of Miami, Fla., in the 2022 recruiting class who transferred from Cal to Indiana after the 2024 season, beat out his fellow finalists — Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Notre ‍Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin — for the prestigious honor.

“I’m at a loss for words. Thank you to everybody,” Mendoza said to begin an emotional six-minute acceptance speech. “I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream that once felt a world away. Standing here tonight, holding this (trophy), representing Indiana University still do

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