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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza ‘definitely deserves some Heisman support,’ ex-Hoosiers star says
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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza entered the fray as one of the top players in the nation this season as the Big Ten school is poised to finish the regular season undefeated.
The Cal transfer, who is in his first season at Indiana, has 2,641 passing yards and is tied in the national lead with 30 touchdown passes. He’s among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy this year with the best odds going into the final game of the regular season against Purdue, according to FOX Sports.
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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)
Trent Green, an Indiana alum himself, took notice of Mendoza’s ability and was banging the drum for the young quarterback’s Heisman Trophy candidacy.
“Mendoza definitely deserves some Heisman support. I’ll start it right now. I think there’s a long list of people that have started it before me, but what he’s been able to do, what Curt Cignetti’s been able to do since he came over as head coach. I thought last year was just a phenomenal season for them to make it into the College Football Playoff to play Notre Dame,” Green told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
Green pointed to the close games in which Indiana was able to eke out wins in the fourth quarter. Late interceptions nearly crushed the Hoosiers, but Mendoza was able to lead his team to victories.
In one of those games, he found wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for a go-ahead touchdown. Cooper hit an incredible toe-tap to complete the catch in bounds.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs off the field following an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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“Mendoza, you talk about just the character of him. I didn’t know a lot about him when he came over from Cal. There’s a reason why the guys follow him and he’s a leader and the guys in the locker room like him – his mental toughness,” Green said. “A lot is made about how smart he is and he works through progressions and he gets them in the right play and he uses his feet at the right time and he’s able to make all the throws, but you think about the three tough road games that they had – they were at Iowa, at Oregon and at Penn State – all of those games, they were close games.
“He threw an early fourth quarter interception in all three of those games, yet he was able to clear that from his mind, come back out, will lead them on game-winning drives and throw a touchdown in the fourth quarter to win all those games on the road. So, that just shows you the mental toughness that goes along with all the talent that he has.”
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws before an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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Green, who spoke to Fox News Digital on behalf of his partnership with Caesars Sportsbook, played at Indiana from 1989 to 1992.
He accumulated 5,136 passing yards and 31 touchdown passes in those four seasons.
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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder died this weekend, the team’s head coach Deion Sanders confirmed on Sunday with a social media post.
“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends and loved ones,” Sanders wrote on social media. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”
Ponder was 23 years old.
Details of Ponder’s death are not yet known.
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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against TCU Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)
Ponder, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller, joined the Buffaloes and “Coach Prime’s” program in 2024 after spending time at Bethune-Cookman before making his way to Boulder.
Last season, Ponder played just two games for the Buffaloes while serving in his backup role. He recorded two rush attempts and one pass attempt.
The Opa Locka, Fla., native also received tribute from a fellow quarterback with the Buffaloes, Colton Allen.
Bethune-Cookman QB Dominiq Ponder takes a snap during the Wildcats’ spring game Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Daytona Stadium. (IMAGN)
“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote on Instagram. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life.”
Ponder was going to be a part of Colorado’s spring practices, which are set to begin on Monday. It’s unknown if Sanders will postpone the start due to Ponder’s passing.
Ponder also received a tribute from the University of Central Florida.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (Tyler Tate/AP Photo)
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“Our prayers are with Dominiq and the Ponder family along with all in the Colorado football program,” the university’s football account on X wrote.
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Who are the best players today? Check out who makes the list at every position.
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The shortstop position is full of big-name stars: Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Geraldo Perdomo, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager and Mookie Betts, to name a few. But which one earned the top spot at the premier infield position? See our top 10 »
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