Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy

by · UPI

Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza became the first Hoosier to win the Heisman Trophy after he was awarded NCAA football's highest award on Saturday night.

Mendoza was the second Indiana player to be among Heisman finalists, with running back Anthony Thompson finishing second in Heisman balloting in 1989.

An emotional Mendoza accepted the award and thanked God, team and community for believing in him.

"If you told me as a kid in Miami that I would be here on stage holding this prestigious trophy, I would have laughed or cried, just like I am now," he said.

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Mendoza said he accepted the award with "humility and gratitude" and told his teammates that "I love you more than you can know."

He credited his offensive line, running backs and defense for making it possible.

'Playing for the Hooser nation is one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I will carry that forever."

His mother was in the audience and cried as Mendoza thanked her for encouraging him to continue and always believing in him when others did not.

"You don't need the most stars, hype or ranking," Mendoza said, and cited football, family and faith as his guiding lights in life.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti earlier said that he never has been around a player who prepares as much as Mendoza and gives back to the community.

"The way this guy plays in the fourth quarter ... unbelievable," Cignetti said. "I can't think of a bigger compliment that you can pay a competitor than that."

Indiana plays the winner of the Alabama-Oklahoma matchup during the second round of the playoffs in the Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1.

The other three Heisman finalists were Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.

Mendoza posted a completion rate of 71.5% by completing 226 of 316 pass attempts for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and 6 interceptions during the season. The 33 passing touchdowns is an NCAA record.

He also ran for six touchdowns while rushing for 240 yards on 59 carries for an average gain of 2.5 yards.

Mendoza posted a passer rating of 181.4 while leading Indiana to the Big 10 title and the No. 1 ranking heading into the College Football Playoff with a 13-0 record.

Sayin led Ohio State to an undefeated regular season before losing to Indiana in the Big 10 title game for a 12-1 record and the No. 2 CFP ranking and seed.

Sayin completed 78.4% of his passes with 279 completions on 356 attempts for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

Ohio State plays the winner of the Miami-Texas A&M matchup during the second round of the playoffs in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31.

Love rushed for 1,372 yards on 199 carries for an average gain of 6.9 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

Love also caught 27 passes for 280 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Notre Dame posted a 10-2 record and a No. 9 ranking in the AP Poll and No. 11 in the CFP rankings.

Notre Dame missed out on the 12-team playoff and declined a bowl invitation.

Pavia led the Commodores to a 10-2 record while completing 71.2% of his passes, with 242 completions on 340 attempts for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions for a passer rating of 171.5.

Vanderbilt was ranked 14th in the CFP Top 25 and is scheduled to play the 8-4 Iowa Hawkeyes in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 31.