Fernando Mendoza Caps Historic Season with Davey O’Brien Award, Cementing Legacy at Indiana
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza added another jewel to his already sparkling crown on Monday in Fort Worth, Texas, taking home the Davey O’Brien Award - a prestigious honor recognizing the nation’s top college quarterback. And with that, Mendoza’s 2025 season officially enters the realm of college football legend.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a great season by Indiana standards - this was an all-time performance by any measure. Mendoza didn’t just break records; he rewrote the Hoosiers’ history books and carved his name alongside some of the sport’s most iconic signal callers.
Mendoza Joins Rare Company
With the Davey O’Brien now in hand, Mendoza becomes the first Indiana player to ever win the award and just the fifth quarterback in college football history to pull off the rare sweep: Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien, Maxwell Award, and a national championship. The only others to do it?
Joe Burrow, Cam Newton, Danny Wuerffel, and Charlie Ward - all legends in their own right. That’s the company Mendoza now keeps.
A Statistical Masterclass
Mendoza’s numbers in 2025 were nothing short of jaw-dropping. He led the nation in both passing touchdowns (41) and total touchdowns responsible for (48), setting new single-season records for Indiana in both categories. And he didn’t just pad those stats against weaker competition - he delivered week in and week out, including multiple games with video game-level efficiency.
He became the only FBS quarterback since at least 1996 to post multiple games with a 90% completion rate and four touchdown passes - and he did it against Power 4 opponents. That’s not just accuracy; that’s surgical precision under pressure.
Mendoza also became the only FBS quarterback in 2025 with five games of at least four touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He threw touchdowns in 14 of Indiana’s 16 games, finishing the year with an eye-popping 41-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He added seven rushing touchdowns for good measure, tying for second on the team.
His 10.8% touchdown rate on pass attempts led the nation - and by a wide margin. The next closest?
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin at 9.2%. That kind of efficiency speaks to both his decision-making and the trust his coaching staff placed in him to execute at a high level.
Postseason Brilliance
Mendoza didn’t just shine in the regular season - he elevated his play when the stakes were highest. He was named MVP of the Big Ten Championship Game, the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. That’s a clean sweep of postseason MVP honors, and it speaks volumes about his ability to lead on the biggest stages.
His postseason performance also earned him the quarterback spot on the AP All-College Football Playoff Team - a fitting recognition for a player who was at the center of Indiana’s championship run.
Awards Keep Piling Up
The Davey O’Brien was just the latest in a long list of accolades for Mendoza. He also took home the Heisman Trophy, AP College Football National Player of the Year, Manning Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football. He was named the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year and earned consensus All-America honors.
In Big Ten circles, Mendoza was a force. He was named the Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year and the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year.
He became just the third Hoosier ever to win Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, joining Anthony Thompson (1988, 1989) and Antwaan Randle El (2001). He’s also the first Indiana quarterback since Randle El to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors and only the third since 1950 to do so, alongside Randle El and Harry Gonso (1967).
A Legacy Etched in Stone
It’s hard to overstate what Mendoza has meant to Indiana football. In a program that hasn’t always been synonymous with national success, he’s delivered not just wins, but a championship - and in doing so, has elevated the Hoosiers to heights they’ve never seen before.
This isn’t just a story about stats or awards. It’s about a quarterback who led, delivered, and inspired - all while making history every step of the way. Fernando Mendoza’s 2025 season will be remembered not just in Bloomington, but across the college football landscape for years to come.