Fernando Mendoza needed a little extra motivation on the field.

Fernando Mendoza may have some explaining to do.

Indiana is headed to the national championship game for the first time in program history. For Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, that means a chance to end a fairytale season.

It’s been a historic season for Indiana. Mendoza is largely to credit. Behind him, the program won its first Big Ten title since 1967. They beat Ohio State for the first time since 1988. The team also earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

Now, there are questions regarding his actions on the field.

How Social Media Reacted To Fernando Mendoza Adding an Unknown Substance To His Hands

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (Grace Hollars/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Prior to the game against Oregon, the Heisman trophy winner was viewed on the field throwing the football around. Seems innocent enough, but when somebody comes over and hands him an unknown object. He then added it to his hands.

Social media wanted answers.

“This is an outrage!! Please make sure he gets drafted 2nd overall to the Jets as punishment!!” one fan said.

“Yep, you busted Indiana. The reason they are winning every game by double digits is liquid grip. Congratulations,” a sarcastic fan added.

“Noticed chalk on his hands the whole game. Not really cheating, a third fan wrote about Fernando Mendoza.

“You’re not the only one who noticed 👀. Something definitely looked off, a fourth fan added.

“Has to be pine tar or something similar. Not sure if it’s legal. It’s not legal in baseball,” a fifth fan commented.

Mendoza, this season’s Heisman Trophy winner, led Indiana University to the national title game with a 56-22 win over Oregon. The blowout prompted accusations of cheating, but the QB got the job done. After a five-touchdown performance in the Peach Bowl, there is just one obstacle to overcome. That would be beating Miami on its home turf in the championship game.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.