Fernando Mendoza is one tough cookie.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was dealt a painful reminder tonight. Specifically, the whole “No pain, no gain” thing during Saturday’s Big Ten Championship Game.

Fernando Mendoza is trying to put one more stamp on his 2025 campaign before the College Football Playoff. Mendoza and the No. 2 ranked Hoosiers are up against the number-one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes for the Big Ten Championship.

On the first play of the game, Mendoza briefly had the daylights knocked out of him. It happened after he took a vicious hit from Buckeyes defensive tackle Caden Curry.


He was temporarily replaced by his brother, Alberto. Fortunately, Fernando Mendoza got the clearance to return after missing just one play:

The 22-year-old Fernando Mendoza is among the top favorites to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy, along with Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin and Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia.

Fernando Mendoza May Be The No. 1 Pick Of 2026 NFL Draft

Fernando Mendoza (Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

In his most recent 2026 NFL draft Big Board, ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Mendoza as the No. 2 prospect. The only one ahead of him? Oregon signal-caller Dante Moore.

But Mendoza could strengthen his case as the best QB in the class with a strong showing in the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers hope to enjoy the luxury of a first-round bye, which would draw a favorable opponent in their second-round matchup.

Coming into the Big Ten Championship contest, Mendoza had completed 72 percent of his pass attempts for 2,758 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions.

There will be plenty of quarterback-needy teams at the draft, too. This includes the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers.