INDIANAPOLIS — On Indiana’s first offensive play, with palpable enthusiasm emanating from the thousands of Hoosiers fans in attendance, Fernando Mendoza rolled out, released the ball and then … took a massive hit.
Mendoza, the face of the undefeated Hoosiers’ high-powered offense, landed hard and laid crumpled on the ground after taking a shot from Ohio State defender Caden Curry. As the seconds ticked off, the Indiana faithful turned eerily quiet as their star quarterback didn’t get up.
“I was, like, ‘Oh boy,’” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said.
“Obvious concern for his health,” his father, Fernando Mendoza Sr., told CBS Sports afterwards.
Indianapolis held its breath as Mendoza laid on the turf following a big shot from an Ohio State defender.
IMAGN Images
Mendoza was helped off the field, his younger brother, Alberto, came in for a play and in an instant it felt like Indiana’s dream season may have just gone up in smoke. What felt like a fever dream — Indiana in Indianapolis playing for a Big Ten Championship in football — was suddenly a nightmare.
And then, one play later, Fernando Mendoza Jr. ran back out to a massive cheer. He had the wind knocked out of him and was ready to do whatever he could to get back out there. It wasn’t as bad as it initially looked.
“I was never going to stay down,” Mendoza said. “And that’s one thing I know — one thing, I say it and I know it could be a little interpreted as a little criticism sometimes, but I will die for my brothers on that field. So, no matter where it’s a gut punch, whether it’s a head punch, whatever it is I’m always going to get back…
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