‘Glory to God’: Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza Leads Hoosiers to Historic Championship
A perennial doormat in college football is now a national champion, powered by a once-unknown coach who reshaped the program and a quarterback who never let an interview pass without giving God the glory.
Indiana defeated Miami 27–21 Monday night in college football’s national championship game to capture the school’s first title in the sport, capping a two-year surge that shocked the sport’s traditional powers and redefined what was thought possible in Bloomington.
The Hoosiers finished 3-9 in 2023 before hiring James Madison University’s Curt Cignetti, who guided Indiana to an 11-2 record in 2024 with a playoff appearance and – this season – a perfect 16-0 record. It’s the first college football team in more than a century to finish 16-0.
Until November, Indiana held the dubious distinction of having the most losses in major college football history. Now, it sits atop the sport.
Its quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in December as college football’s most outstanding player and was named the offensive MVP of Monday’s game.
He was in tears following the historic win over Miami.
JUST IN: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza gives all glory to God, breaks down in tears after winning the College Football National Championship.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 20, 2026
“I was a two-star recruit coming out of high school. I got declined a walk-on offer to the University of Miami, full circle moment… pic.twitter.com/jhufc5yvVN
“I want to give all the glory and thanks to God,” Mendoza told an ESPN national audience after the game.
Mendoza’s story is Cinderella-like as well. Ranked 140th among quarterbacks and 2,149th overall as a high school senior in 2022, according to the 247Sports composite, he drew little interest from college football’s power programs. He accepted the lone major scholarship offer he received – from California – before transferring to Indiana ahead of this season.
He grew up in Miami, within walking distance of the university campus.
“I was a two-star recruit coming out of high school. I got declined a walk-on offer to the University of Miami,” Mendoza added. “[It’s a] full-circle moment here playing in Miami for all the friends and family. … I just give all the glory to God.”
Mendoza’s faith has been central to his story. Asked earlier in the playoffs which hype songs he listens to, he said none – he prays.
Fernando Mendoza on his favorite pregame hype song
— Zachary Greene (@SportingGreene) January 8, 2026
"I honestly don't listen to hype songs because I have to stay cool, calm, and collected. I actually meditate and pray before the game. I think praying, in a way, is meditation to help myself be in my thoughts, as Quarterback is… pic.twitter.com/zZ8LqMUkl6
“I honestly don't listen to hype songs because I have to stay cool, calm, and collected,” Mendoza said. “I actually meditate before the game. I meditate. I pray. I think praying is, in a way, meditation to help myself be in my thoughts.”
On Christmas Eve, shortly after winning the Heisman Trophy, he returned to the St. Paul Catholic Center at Indiana University with the award in hand to share the moment with the priests who had mentored him, according to Aleteia.com.
“He told us ‘This Church and you all are a major reason why this happened,’” Patrick Hyde, pastor of the St. Paul Catholic Center, said on X/Twitter. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
True prayer warriors know Mendoza wasn’t playing with this prayer. When them fingers are interlocked, it’s serious! 🤣🤣#NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/2F0GLmn9vK
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 20, 2026
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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / Jamie Schwaberow / Contributor
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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Originally published January 20, 2026.
