Mendoza, Pavia, Love, Sayin Named Finalists for Heisman Trophy

In a significant announcement on Monday, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers was named one of four finalists for the prestigious Heisman Trophy. This recognition comes just two days after he led his team to its first Big Ten Championship in 58 years. Mendoza’s fellow finalists include Diego Pavia from Vanderbilt, Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame, and Julian Sayin from Ohio State. The winner of the Heisman Trophy will be revealed on December 9, 2023, in New York.

Mendoza’s performance in the Big Ten Championship was crucial in securing his spot as a finalist. He defeated Sayin and the Buckeyes in a closely contested game, clinching a 13-10 victory with a pivotal 33-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker. This win not only marked Indiana’s first championship in decades but also ensured their place as the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Mendoza finished the game with 222 passing yards and the go-ahead touchdown, breaking a 30-game losing streak against Ohio State that dated back to 1988.

“We were never supposed to be in this position,” said Mendoza, who was named the game’s MVP. “But now we’re the flipping champs.”

As the current favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, Mendoza is seen as a strong contender. DraftKings Sportsbook lists him with odds of -1200 to secure the award. Should he win, he would make history as Indiana’s first Heisman winner, following Anthony Thompson, who was the runner-up in 1989.

Outstanding Performances from Fellow Finalists

While Indiana celebrates Mendoza’s achievement, the other finalists have also made their mark this season. Diego Pavia has led the Vanderbilt Commodores to their first-ever 10-win season, setting school records with 3,192 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns. Although Vanderbilt did not qualify for the playoff, Pavia’s performance has been a historic milestone for the program.

Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame narrowly missed the playoff but had a standout season. He scored a remarkable 21 all-purpose touchdowns, surpassing Jerome Bettis‘ record for most touchdowns in a season in Notre Dame history. Love finished the regular season ranking fourth nationally with 1,372 rushing yards and third with 18 rushing touchdowns, averaging an impressive 6.89 yards per carry.

Julian Sayin had an impressive debut season as the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite the loss to Mendoza’s Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship, he ranks second nationally with a QBR of 89.6 and holds the best completion rate in FBS history at 78.4%. Sayin showcased his talent by throwing three touchdowns in a crucial victory over Michigan that ended a four-game losing streak against their rivals.

As the excitement builds towards the Heisman Trophy announcement, these four athletes have made significant contributions to their teams and the sport this season. Their performances not only highlight individual talent but also the evolving landscape of college football, where records continue to be broken and new legends emerge.