MIAMI — Fernando Mendoza wasn’t going to be denied.
Not in his hometown. Not with a perfect season hanging in the balance.
No chance.
The Heisman Trophy winner hadn’t been at his best for three quarters, struggling against Miami’s elite pass rush. But the Miami native was at his best when it was absolutely needed, highlighted by his gritty 12-yard touchdown run that was ultimately the difference in Indiana’s memorable 27-21 win at Hard Rock Stadium and first national championship in program history.
“This victory is so sweet for everybody, for the entire Hoosier nation. It’s super sweet for myself,” Mendoza said in his on-field interview, as confetti fell from the sky. “I was a two-star recruit coming out of high school. I got declined a walk-on opportunity at the University of Miami. Full-circle moment here, playing in Miami in front of all my friends and family.”
In the fourth quarter, Mendoza was 4-for-7 passing for 70 yards, with all four completions producing first downs on either third or fourth down. But his biggest play was that run. Indiana only led by three at the time, and was facing a fourth-and-4 with 9:27 to go. Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti decided to go for it after using a timeout, and called a quarterback draw.
Mendoza didn’t have much room at first, but he cut back to pick up the first down. He then bounced off an attempted tackle by Wesley Bissainthe, spun and dove for the goal line. He was crushed by Mohamed Toure from behind, but hung onto the ball. It was his John Elway moment.
“I had to go airborne. I would die for my team,” Mendoza said. “Whatever they need me to do, what they need me to take, shots from the front or the back, whatever it is, I’m going to die for my team out there.”
It was a storybook ending for Mendoza, who has gone from anonymity to the top of college football. He became the first Heisman Trophy winner in Indiana history and in April will be the almost-certain No. 1 draft pick of the Raiders.
Monday night, he became a champion in the stadium he frequented as a kid.
“There’s no words,” Mendoza said. “This is the most special moment of my life.”
