The Hoosier Heisman: Fernando Mendoza Wins, But Diego Pavia’s Case Was Historic

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NEW YORK, NY — History was made Saturday night as Fernando Mendoza, the transfer quarterback who led the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect $13-0$ record, was announced as the winner of the 2025 Heisman Memorial Trophy. Mendoza became the first player in Indiana football history to hoist the coveted award, completing one of the most improbable ascensions in college football.

While Mendoza won convincingly, the story of the runner-up, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, provided one of the most compelling—and statistically supported—arguments for a Heisman winner who didn’t take home the trophy.

Mendoza’s Unquestionable Case: The Perfect Résumé

Mendoza’s victory was a testament to the value of team success in Heisman voting. He earned a commanding 2,362 total points, including 643 first-place votes, and finished first in all six Heisman voting regions—a feat not accomplished since Caleb Williams in 2022.

The Perfect Team Leader: The former Cal transfer was the engine for the greatest season in Indiana history, guiding the Hoosiers to their first-ever Big Ten Championship and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The undefeated record was the ultimate trump card.
Elite Efficiency & Touchdown Production: Mendoza excelled in keeping the ball out of harm’s way and finding the end zone. He finished the regular season with a nation-leading 33 passing touchdowns against only six interceptions. His completion percentage was a sterling $71.5\%$ , and his passer rating of $181.39$ was the second-highest in the country.
The Big Ten Crown: His final statement to voters—leading Indiana over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game—cemented his status as a clear winner.

Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)	Stats
Passing Yards	2,980
Passing TDs	33 (Nation Leader)
Completion %	$71.5\%$
Total TDs	39 (33 Pass, 6 Rush)
Team Record	13-0 (Big Ten Champs)

The Argument for Diego Pavia: The Statistical Dynamo

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia finished second with 1,435 total points and 189 first-place votes. While he couldn’t overcome the perception that team success is paramount, the case for him as the “Most Outstanding Player” was exceptionally strong.

Unprecedented Vanderbilt Success: Pavia led the Commodores to a program-record 10 wins, their highest ranking since 1937, and a historic six SEC victories. He was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, the first Vanderbilt quarterback to earn All-America honors since 1951, and the program’s first-ever Heisman finalist.
Total Offensive Dominance: Pavia’s raw production was arguably unmatched. He cleared 4,000 total yards (3,192 passing, 826 rushing) and accounted for 36 total touchdowns (27 pass, 9 rush). His 826 rushing yards were nearly four times that of Mendoza’s.
The Usage Rate Factor: Pavia was the lifeblood of the Commodores’ offense, accounting for $71.4\%$ of Vanderbilt’s total offensive yards—a figure far exceeding all other Heisman finalists. Proponents argued that his individual burden and production against a significantly tougher SEC schedule made him the superior individual player.

Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)	Stats
Passing Yards	3,192
Rushing Yards	826
Total Offense	4,018 (Nation Leader)
Total TDs	36 (27 Pass, 9 Rush)
Team Record	10-2

In the end, while Pavia’s historic individual season elevated a struggling program to unforeseen heights, the Heisman trophy remained faithful to the quarterback of the nation’s only undefeated team, crowning Fernando Mendoza as the most valuable player in college football.