Mendoza makes history as first Hoosier to win Davey O’Brien award

FORT WORTH, Texas — Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza added another milestone to his remarkable season Monday night, claiming the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top collegiate quarterback. The honor, presented annually in Fort Worth, makes Mendoza the first player in Hoosiers history to receive the prestigious accolade.

The redshirt sophomore’s ascent has been swift and record-setting. Already the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and a national champion, Mendoza continues to accumulate hardware that underscores his dominance under center. The Davey O’Brien Award selection committee recognized his efficiency, leadership and production as the best among signal-callers across the country.

Mendoza accepted the award during a televised ceremony, thanking teammates, coaches and family while reiterating that the focus now shifts to sustaining success for the program. By becoming the first Indiana quarterback to etch his name on the Davey O’Brien trophy, he has carved out a legacy that future Hoosier passers will chase.

Indiana athletic department officials celebrated the announcement, noting that the honor further elevates the profile of a program that captured its first national title earlier this postseason. With spring practice on the horizon, expectations will be sky-high as Mendoza looks to defend both team and individual crowns in the coming campaign.