As Fernando Mendoza’s stock continues rising, his performance is also elevating.
Indiana’s quarterback is now the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, following the Hoosiers’ blowout win over Illinois and an injury to Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. Mendoza’s played well for IU through four games. His 76.8 completion percentage is the second-best rate in the country, and he leads the country with 14 touchdown passes — in addition to being one of nine quarterbacks to play four games so far this year without throwing an interception.
The Cal transfer has an 89.3 PFF grade, tied for ninth in the country among quarterbacks. Mendoza has particularly excelled in the intermediate passing game, with the third-highest PFF grade in the country on throws 10 to 19 yards out.
IU head coach Curt Cignetti is pleased with Mendoza’s progress.
“I thought he took a major step forward last week and again this week,” Cignetti said after the Illinois game. “And really had a lot of confidence in him going into the game. I think his progress has really accelerated the last couple weeks. And I thought he was right on target.”
Mendoza enjoyed a huge game against Illinois, going 21 for 23 for 267 yards and five touchdowns. He racked up various honors and recognitions from that performance, including Maxwell Award and AP National Player of the Week, multiple national quarterback of the week awards, Big Ten co-offensive player of the week, and more.
The redshirt junior wasn’t bad to start the season, against Old Dominion and Kennesaw State. But he’s improved even more with additional coaching as time’s gone on. Mendoza credited Cignetti, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, and quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer for his good stretch.
“Early in the season, like Old Dominion, I was a little, wanting to have too perfect of a season, I was trying to force completions here and there,” Mendoza said. “But as soon as I kind of went back and was coached by coach Whitmer, coach Shanahan, coach Cignetti, ‘Hey, stick to the process, one play at a time, 0-0, no emotion,’ I got back into being who I am with trying to accelerate my footwork, finish throws, and really just trust my eyes and to rip the ball.”
Whitmer, in particular, has helped Mendoza elevate his level both on and off the field.
This is Whitmer’s first season on a college coaching staff since his graduate assistant years with Ohio State (2019) and Clemson (2020). He spent three years with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he worked with Justin Herbert as an offensive quality control coach. Chase Daniel was Herbert’s backup for two of those seasons, the last of his 14-year career with seven NFL franchises, including two stints with the New Orleans Saints.
Whitmer saw what Herbert’s routine looked like, with elements added from Daniel after his time observing Drew Brees earlier in his career. And Whitmer helped Mendoza organize a daily routine similar to Brees and Herbert.
“Now I have a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday checklist that I do, that really helps me feel prepared,” Mendoza said. “And evidently, you’ve still got to go above and beyond and watch more film with that, with my receivers and offensive line after practice. But I think that that puts us in a good situation to know what work is coming, and kind of get all bases covered.”
That routine has paid dividends for Mendoza.
He’s played well, he’s commanded IU’s offense with poise, and he’s carried himself as a leader the way all teams would want their quarterback to. Mendoza’s receivers frequently praise his throwing and his leadership, and he impresses the defenders who face him regularly in practice.
“Just really his knowledge and his IQ of the game. He can basically tell what coverage you’re in, even if you’re disguising,” cornerback D’Angelo Ponds said. “I feel like his IQ of the game is very high. So that’s what sets him apart.”
Indiana has only one player in program history to seriously contend for the Heisman Trophy: Anthony Thompson finished runner-up in 1989. Others have received enough votes to place in the top 10: Kurtis Rourke (ninth, 2024), Tevin Coleman (seventh, 2014), Antwaan Randle El (sixth, 2001), Vaughn Dunbar (sixth, 1991), Thompson (ninth, 1988), Pete Pihos (eighth, 1945), and Bill Hillenbrand (fifth, 1942).
Mendoza has a long way to go this season, but he’s already in position to potentially join that list. The spotlight will only grow brighter, and the opponents will get tougher. The Hoosiers hit the road on Saturday for the first time all season, with a big challenge at Iowa. Even tougher away games loom after that at Oregon and Penn State. IU’s quarterback will have to continue proving himself on those big stages, and beyond.
But early returns are very positive on Mendoza, which is all the Hoosiers can ask for.
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