Mendoza Wins Heisman, Indiana Earns First‑Ever Top Spot

In a night that will be remembered in college football history, Fernando Mendoza of No. 1 Indiana captured the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Hoosier to win the award since 1935.

Heisman Triumph

Mendoza’s victory was a landmark moment for the Hoosiers. He secured 2,362 first‑place votes, outpacing Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. The win marks Indiana’s first top‑ranked team in the 12‑team College Football bracket.

Voting Breakdown

The final ballot reflected a clear preference for Mendoza. Pavia received 1,435 votes, Love 719, and Sayin 432. The spread shows the depth of talent across the country and underscores the significance of Mendoza’s performance.

Mendoza’s Season Stats

During the season, Mendoza threw for 2,980 yards and a national‑best 33 touchdown passes, while also contributing six rushing scores. His dual‑threat ability helped Indiana remain unbeaten and secure the No. 1 ranking.

Program Milestones

Mendoza, a redshirt junior and once lightly recruited Miami native, became the second Heisman finalist in Indiana history after 1989 runner‑up Anthony Thompson. He is the seventh Hoosier to finish in the top‑10 and the first to lead the program to back‑to‑back top‑10 finishes.

Other Finalists

The Heisman race also highlighted other notable players. Quarterbacks have won the award four of the last five years, with Colorado’s Travis Hunter breaking the streak last season. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love were also prominent contenders.

Additional Awards

Mendoza’s accolades extended beyond the Heisman. He was named The Associated Press player of the year earlier this week and received the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards on Friday night. Love earned the Doak Walker Award for his rushing excellence.

Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia

Pavia, a graduate student from Albuquerque, New Mexico, set a school record with 3,192 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. He guided Vanderbilt to a 10‑win season, six SEC victories, and a No. 9 ranking, the highest for the program since 1937. Pavia also became Vanderbilt’s first Heisman finalist.

Ohio State’s Julian Sayin

Sayin, a sophomore from Carlsbad, California, led Ohio State to a No. 1 ranking for most of the season. He threw for 3,329 yards, tied for second in the country with 31 touchdown passes, and earned a 14‑7 win over preseason No. 1 Texas. Sayin’s performance included three games with 300+ yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and an 80% completion rate.

Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love

Love finished the season with 1,372 rushing yards, 114.3 yards per game, and 18 rushing touchdowns, ranking fourth, fifth, and third in the FBS for those categories. He produced multiple 90‑plus‑yard runs, including a 98‑yard effort against Indiana and a 94‑yard run versus Boston College. Love’s achievements were recognized with the Doak Walker Award.

Key Takeaways

• Fernando Mendoza becomes the first Hoosier Heisman winner since 1935.
• He led Indiana to a national‑best 33 touchdown passes and a 2,980‑yard passing season.
• The victory precedes Indiana’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

The Heisman ceremony celebrated a season of record‑setting performances, historic milestones, and a bright future for college football programs across the nation.