Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is ready for the nation to take notice of the his team’s 6-0 season start now that the Hoosiers have defeated a top-three opponent by upsetting Oregon on Saturday.
“It shows the country that the IU football team, it’s a real team,” Mendoza said after leading the No. 7 Hoosiers to a 30-20 road victory over No. 3 Oregon (h/t Peegs.com). “We’re not just a one-hit wonder.”
The Hoosiers appeared to be in danger of suffering their first loss of the season when Mendoza threw a game-tying pick-six early in the fourth quarter.
Mendoza bounced back by leading the Hoosiers to score on the next drive, which he completed with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt.
The Hoosiers defense then picked off Ducks quarterback Dante Moore on the next two drives to allow Indiana to extend the lead.
“We came in here, we handled adversity fantastically, and we rose to the moment,” Mendoza said after the win in an on-field interview during which he thanked his offensive line and pass-catchers.
Indiana surprised the FBS after claiming 11 wins and a College Football Playoff berth in Curt Cignetti’s first year as head coach in 2024.
After exiting the first expanded CFP with a first-round loss to Notre Dame, Indiana is now hoping not just for another playoff berth but for a deeper run this winter.
Indiana has never received a modern AP poll ranking of higher than No. 7. Taking down the nation’s No. 3-ranked program should be enough to earn Mendoza and his team the highest ranking in program history ahead of next weekend’s matchup with Michigan State.
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