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Fernando Mendoza Wins 2025 Heisman in Landslide, Indiana’s First Winner

A 33‑TD, unbeaten Big Ten campaign delivered a regional ballot sweep and the No. 1 College Football Playoff seed.

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Dec 13, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy during the trophy presentation at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Mendoza captured 643 first-place votes and 2,362 points, sweeping all six voting regions to finish well ahead of runner-up Diego Pavia.
  • The junior threw for 2,980 yards with a nation‑leading 33 TD passes and six interceptions, adding six rushing scores during Indiana’s 13-0 season and Big Ten title run.
  • Mendoza’s award caps a week that already included AP Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award and the Davey O’Brien Award.
  • Indiana holds the top CFP seed and will play the winner of No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal on Jan. 1.
  • Pavia, Vanderbilt’s first Heisman finalist, finished second after a 3,192‑yard, 27‑TD passing season with 826 rushing yards; the Commodores head to the ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Iowa on Dec. 31.