Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza celebrates national title with priests

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza had God on his heart and faith on his mind as he helped his team to its first college football national championship Monday night.

Mendoza may have needed divine intervention against the Miami Hurricanes as he was bruised and battered throughout the night. He helped the Hoosiers extend their lead by running the ball into the end zone on 4th down midway through the fourth quarter. He leapt from the 2-yard line and did a full-body stretch to pass the ball to the goal line.

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Regardless, “Thank God,” he said in a post-match interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe.

Additionally, Mendoza gave an outstanding performance in front of two chaplains from the Indiana University campus. Father Patrick Hyde and Father Ben Keller of Saint Paul Church were among the thousands of Hoosiers fans in attendance.

After the Hoosiers completed the win, ESPN caught them and Mendoza celebrating.

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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

“I thank God for this team, for this young man, and for this experience!” Hyde wrote to X on Tuesday morning.

Mendoza was also seen hugging family members on the field as Hoosiers players celebrated the 27-21 victory.

The Heisman Trophy winner has been vocal about his belief throughout the season.

The Indiana Hoosiers huddle during the fourth quarter of their game against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 19, 2026. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

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“The only reason I’ve gotten to this point is because I’ve had so many different people helping me on my journey and [the Saint Paul priests] “he was one,” he said, via Church Leaders. “They’ve done so much to help me, whether it’s confession, whether it’s just being able to talk, whether it’s just mass every Sunday. So I really give God a lot of what I’ve accomplished this season, and we thank God.”

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