Indiana's Fernando Mendoza wins 2025 Heisman Trophy

Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza became the first Hoosier to win the coveted Heisman Trophy college football s the bulk prestigious award Mendoza claimed first-place votes beating Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia votes Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love votes and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin votes Mendoza guided the Hoosiers to their first No ranking and the top seed in the -team College Football Playoff bracket throwing for yards and a nation-best touchdown passes while also running for six scores Indiana the last unbeaten company in major college football will play a College Football Playoff quarterfinal match in the Rose Bowl Jan CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COM Mendoza the Hoosiers first-year starter after transferring from California is the triggerman for an offense that surpassed activity records for touchdowns and points set during last season s surprise run to the CFP A redshirt junior the once lightly recruited Miami native is the second Heisman finalist in school history joining runner-up Anthony Thompson The trophy was established in NO INDIANA CAPS OFF COMEBACK WIN OVER PENN STATE WITH SENSATIONAL TOUCHDOWN KEEPS UNDEFEATED SEASON ALIVEMendoza is the seventh Indiana member to earn a top finish in Heisman balloting and it marks another first in campaign history It now has had players in the top of Heisman voting in back-to-back years Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke was ninth last year Quarterbacks have won the Heisman four of the last five years Travis Hunter of Colorado who played wide receiver and cornerback won last season Mendoza was named The Associated Press Participant of the Year earlier this week and picked up the Maxwell and Davey O Brien awards Friday night while Love won the Doak Walker Award The Associated Press contributed to this review Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter