It raised some eyebrows when IU coach Curt Cignetti said in the spring redshirt freshman Albert Mendoza was the likely backup quarterback for the Hoosiers in 2025.
It wasn’t as if anyone doubted eventually Alberto would be ready for the spotlight in Bloomington, but from the outside the frame of reference was relatively thin — and a bit unconvincing.
Alberto played in one game as a true freshman in 2024. That came late in a 77-3 win over FCS opponent Western Illinois, and like a lot of first-year players, he looked tentative.
Year two at Indiana brings a new dynamic for Alberto, whose opportunities to play only come when his brother — starter Fernando — comes out of the game.
And Fernando’s internal wiring isn’t designed for calling it quits, even when it means his brother will get a chance to see the field. As it turned out on Saturday against Kennesaw State, that same mindset seemed to bring about an abrupt end to Fernando’s day, after he took a late hit out-of-bounds on a scramble out of the pocket with his team up by 40 points.
Fernando was yanked immediately, and he reluctantly left the field — before it hit him what that meant.
“As a competitor, for a split second I was like I want to score again,” Fernando said. “Then I realized my little brother was going in.”
Fernando had proven plenty on the afternoon, completing 18-of-25 throws for 245 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. There were a couple misfires, and some drops, but it was a solid step forward after a less than stellar opener for the redshirt junior.
And Alberto’s progression from his first game — exactly a year earlier on the same field — was also impressive. With a year in Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s system under his belt, and a strong partnership with his brother, the younger Mendoza showed some promise.
On the field for 10 snaps, Alberto completed all three of his passes — two for first downs and one a touchdown thrown to Charlie Becker in the corner of the end zone with perfect touch.
That moment brought Fernando back on the field, as he ran to his brother for a leaping, full body high five.
Fernando Mendoza 🤗 Alberto Mendoza
You better believe @IndianaFootball‘s QB1 was pumped to celebrate his younger brother’s first career TD pass. pic.twitter.com/VCTBD6CrZd
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 6, 2025
Fernando and Alberto became the first set of brothers to throw a touchdown pass in the same game for the same team since 2015 when Arkansas’ Brandon and Austin Allen accomplished the feat.
And the performance by the younger brother helped to ever so slightly alleviate concerns about Indiana’s quarterback depth should something happen to Fernando along the way in 2025.
Will Alberto be ready if his number is called in a key situation this year?
Count his brother as a believer.
“To see him out there and operate efficiently with confidence and no hesitation is great,” Fernando said. “It really shows he’s going to be able to take the next step and be a great quarterback one day.”
Just don’t expect Fernando to give up the reins willingly.
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