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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza gave college football fans an interview for the ages on Saturday night after his No. 2-ranked Hoosiers toppled No. 1 Ohio State for a historic 13-10 win to capture the Big Ten championship.
Mendoza was named the Grange-Griffin Most Valuable Player after going 15-of-23 for 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception to secure Indiana’s first outright Big Ten title and undefeated season since 1945. As the confetti fell inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, an emotional Mendoza had only word to describe the victory as he spoke with FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft.
“It sounds so beautiful,” Mendoza said when asked about being a conference champion. “I want to give all the glory to God. We were never supposed to be in this position. But by the glory of God, with great coaches, great teammates, everyone we have around us, we were able to pull this off. Whoever thought the Hoosiers would be here, but now the Hoosiers are flipping champs. Let’s go!”
Mendoza went on to praise his teammates for sticking together through the season.
“It’s the right place for process-oriented,” he said. “We’re going day by day, whether it’s [the] offensive line, the protection, the coaches, particular groups, we’re all process-oriented to 1 purpose. That is our factor is we’re brothers. We will drag groups into the deep finish as a result of we all know that we’ll stick collectively, and we are the strongest glue ever.”
In a tightly-contested sport the place the Hoosiers’ grit was on full show, Mendoza’a giant completion to huge receiver (and roommate) Charlie Becker within the fourth quarter sealed the unimaginable win.
Mendoza mirrored on the large play with Taft, who rightfully known as it the QB’s newest Heisman second.
“Each single day in summer time, we have been all the time throwing earlier than follow,” he stated. “Earlier than at 7 a.m. On Sundays, doing spots, doing routes. And now you see it coming to fruition. He is my roommate. Could not be happier for such a younger man as properly, in addition to our protection taking part in lights out. Simply what an unimaginable second.”
Evidently, Indiana’s win might be remembered ceaselessly, and with Mendoza, a.ok.a Heismendoza, poised to reside as much as his nickname and the Hoosiers claiming the School Soccer Playoff’s high seed, a particular season may quickly develop into an iconic one when it is all stated and executed.
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