Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza sat on one knee along the Hard Rock Stadium sideline during the final minute of Monday night’s CFP National Championship game.
A moment later, Miami native Jamari Sharpe created the game-clinching interception as the Hoosiers earned a 27-21 win over the Miami Hurricanes.
“This victory is so sweet,” Mendoza told ESPN moments after helping the program clinch its first national title.
His performance will become sweeter in April when the Las Vegas Raiders open the NFL Draft with the first overall selection.
With front-office officials in Miami Gardens, Fla., scouting Mendoza, he converted a 12-yard touchdown run on a gritty, fourth-and-five play, giving the Hoosiers a 24-14 advantage with 9:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The 2022 two-star prep quarterback who endured the Hurricanes’ rejection to become a walk-on all but secured his top draft spot with the rebuilding Raiders.
Mendoza did it with heart and character.
Super #Mendoza! What a play! #Indiana extends the lead 24-14!#CFP #collegegameday #CollegeFootballPlayoffs #Championship #heisman2025 pic.twitter.com/Nf5UcdtwZ9
— RJ Sports (@RJ3000RJ) January 20, 2026
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Shows Heart In Win
Early in the first quarter, Jakobe Thomas landed a borderline hit on Mendoza, who was not shaken. He also absorbed highlight-reel hits against Iowa and Ohio State, proving he can take a hit. If he goes to the Raiders, he will need to show toughness and heart.
On Monday, the Miami native handed the Hurricanes their first loss to an AP-ranked team this season. After throwing consecutive incompletions for the first time since the first quarter of the Big Ten Championship game, Mendoza overcame additional pressure and a bloody lip to complete 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards. With the Hoosiers dominating Alabama and Oregon in their first two playoff outings, Mendoza faced just 11 combined pressures during dropbacks. He experienced four during his initial 10 pass attempts Monday.
“He’s so tough,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. “He had no time. No way this gets done without that kind of performance at that position.”
Guiding the Hoosiers to a 16-0 record, did Mendoza engineer one of the top seasons of all time?
Mendoza put the Hoosiers in that conversation with personal character.
Miami Christopher Columbus High School staged a watch party in honor of alumnus Mendoza. It was a sold-out show.
The Raiders are coming off a 3-14 campaign and need more than just talent to become the face of the franchise. Mendoza displays character backed by his former prep coach.
“Off the field, he was just a kid with enormous charisma,” John Lynskey told CBS Miami. “He was involved in everything, a book nerd. He loved to study (and) put as much emphasis on his studies as he did into practice.”
For something bigger than just us. pic.twitter.com/fhmW7nFEs5
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) January 17, 2026
