Will Fernando Mendoza Win Heisman Trophy? Fans Weigh In After Indiana Dominates Purdue

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza's Heisman Trophy candidacy remains up for debate as he prepares to play in the Big Ten Championship game.

The Hoosiers clinched the right to compete for the Big Ten title with Friday night's 56-3 road win in a regular season finale against Purdue.

Mendoza finished his night having gone 8-for-15 for 117 passing yards and three total touchdowns.

No. 2 Indiana climbed out to an early 28-3 lead in a first half highlighted by Mendoza's seven-yard touchdown run.

That marked Mendoza's sixth rushing touchdown of the season, marking the most by any Indiana quarterback since Peyton Ramsey in 2019 (h/t Seth Tow of the Daily Hoosier).

Indiana's run game was on display in the third quarter, when running backs Kaelon Black, Khobie Martin and Roman Hemby pushed the ball downfield before Mendoza completed the drive with 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt.

After recording another touchdown pass thanks in part to Omar Cooper Jr.'s ability to shake off multiple attempted tackles, Mendoza sat out the fourth quarter as his brother Alberto Mendoza closed out the blowout victory.

Those highlights had some fans celebrating the quarterback's ability to perform during a below-freezing night in West Lafayette.

Mendoza's inability to rack up more offense against Purdue, which fell to 2-10 and 0-9 in Big Ten play with Friday night's loss, caused other fans to question whether the quarterback should be celebrated as the top player in college football.

Mendoza is looking to become the first player in Indiana program history to bring home the Heisman.

He could be competing for the trophy with players including Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.

Whether Mendoza makes Hoosiers history could come down to the Big Ten championship game. Sayin could be playing in the contest if Ohio State clinches a 12-0 season Saturday by beating No. 15 Michigan on the road.

The Buckeyes are set to kick off their season finale at noon Saturday at Michigan Stadium. The Hoosiers will meanwhile begin preparing for the conference championship game on Dec. 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium.