Fernando Mendoza left bloodied on booming hit early in CFP National Championship

· New York Post

Fernando Mendoza was rocked like a Hurricane in the first quarter of the CFP National Championship game on Monday night, leaving the Indiana quarterback bloodied. 

Mendoza was hit by Miami defensive back Jakobe Thomas on the chin as he was tackled to the ground on a second-down play during the Hoosiers’ second drive of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night. 

The potential top-5 pick in this April’s NFL draft attempted to fake a run when Thomas plowed through Mendoza, going low and seemingly raising his body as he went for the hit, which sent the QB spinning to the ground. Mendoza is expected to go as high as No. 1 to the quarterback-needy Raiders.

Fernando Mendoza leaves a play with his lip bloodied up during the first quarter of the national championship game against Miami. X @espn

Blood could be seen coming from the lower part of Mendoza’s mouth on the broadcast. 

“And you see Jakobe Thomas coming down. They’ve been told this week to hit Mendoza as often as they can,” Kirk Herbstreit said on the ESPN broadcast. “That time, carrying out the fake. You can see he got up underneath the chin strap and face mask. … Instead of laying off, boom, hits him. Again, when they get their chances, they want to lay the wood. You see right there, they’re sending a message early in this game.”

Francisco Mendoza was left bloodied by a big Miami hit. @LandonTengwall/X
Fernando Mendoza takes a hit by Miami defensive back Jakobe Thomas on the chin. X @espn

No penalty was assessed on the play. 

The Hoosiers did manage to get points out of the drive, converting on a 34-yard field goal.

Top-seeded Indiana leads No. 10 Miami 10-0 at the half.