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Indiana's Mendoza Wins Awards, Leads Perfect Season

12/13/2025

Summary

Mendoza Wins Awards

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien awards at the 2025 College Football Awards.
He led the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 season, securing a Big Ten title and the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
Mendoza set a program record with 33 touchdown passes and was named The Associated Press player of the year.
Coach Curt Cignetti earned Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive year.
The Heisman Trophy will be awarded soon, with Mendoza as a finalist.

Summary

College Football Awards

The College Football Awards will occur on December 12, 2025, featuring over 20 trophies for top players.
Key awards include the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards for player of the year.
Finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award for best quarterback are Marcel Reed from Texas A&M, Julian Sayin from Ohio State, and Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, the latter recently winning the Big Ten title.
Sayin and Mendoza are also Heisman Trophy finalists, while running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame is nominated for both the Heisman and the Doak Walker Award.
The event will be broadcast on ESPN.

History

Historical Context

Established in 1937, the Maxwell Award recognizes the best college football player in the U.S., named after Robert "Tiny" Maxwell. In 2025, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza achieved a program record with 33 touchdown passes, leading the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 season and a Big Ten title. This reflects the increasing competitiveness in college football, with multiple players from elite programs gaining national recognition.

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Mendoza Wins Awards

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien awards at the 2025 College Football Awards.
He led the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 season, securing a Big Ten title and the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
Mendoza set a program record with 33 touchdown passes and was named The Associated Press player of the year.
Coach Curt Cignetti earned Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive year.
The Heisman Trophy will be awarded soon, with Mendoza as a finalist.

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