Indiana celebrated its first-ever Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday, as Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza claimed the 91st edition of the award. Mendoza also became just the second Heisman finalist in program history, following former running back Anthony Thompson.
Mendoza edged out Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State signal-caller Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love for the honor. However, some analysts were quick to raise questions about whether he truly deserved the trophy.
National Analyst Walks Back Initial Criticism of Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman Win
In the Heisman Trophy voting, Mendoza earned 2,362 points, including 643 first-place votes, while Pavia finished with 1,435 points and 189 first-place votes. Mendoza’s winning margin is the largest since 2021, when Bryce Young beat Aidan Hutchinson by over 1,300 points.
Despite the wide gap, CBS Sports analyst Aaron Taylor initially argued that Pavia was the more deserving candidate.
“Mendoza had a heck of a year, but the player that should win (The Heisman) is Diego Pavia,” Taylor said. “He by far was the most exciting and therefore most outstanding player.”
However, it took Taylor only a day to withdraw his initial comment on Mendoza’s Heisman win.
“Upon further reflection, I’m grateful Fernando Mendoza won,” Taylor tweeted on Sunday.
Mendoza won the Heisman after leading Indiana to a 13-0 season, which is the winningest season in Indiana history. The Hoosiers defeated Ohio State, 13-10, to claim their first outright Big Ten title since 1967. Meanwhile, Pavia had a similarly phenomenal season, leading Vanderbilt to a 10-2 regular-season record, the school’s first 10-win season, and a No. 15 ranking in the PFSN College Football Playoff Rankings.
As for individual records, Mendoza completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also adding six rushing touchdowns. Pavia threw for 3,192 yards, ran for 826 yards, and accounted for 36 total touchdowns.
While both seasons were exceptional, Heisman winners often come from top-tier winning teams. Mendoza not only led Indiana to the playoffs but also remains undefeated, whereas Pavia’s lack of high-profile wins for Vanderbilt may have influenced the voting outcome.
Mendoza was also named Associated Press Player of the Year on Thursday. He also remains grateful towards his Indiana squad for complementing his caliber.
“I’m shining now but only because there are so many stars around me,” Mendoza said last week. “There’s an analogy that the only reason we’re able to see stars in the sky is because the light reflects from all different types of stars. I have so many stars around myself – whether it’s my teammates, my coaches, my family, support staff – that I’m able to shine now in this light, and I’m so happy for everyone to be a part of this.”
With Indiana entering the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed, Mendoza’s next test will be leading the Hoosiers to win in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
