Overview
- He completed a pass to Elijah Sarratt before absorbing the collision that left him on the turf.
- He was helped to the sideline and briefly replaced by his younger brother, Alberto, who entered for a handoff to Roman Hemby.
- Indiana’s opening series crossed midfield but stalled and ended in a punt, according to initial reports.
- Mendoza entered the game as a leading Heisman candidate after a 12–0 regular season and the program’s first conference title game appearance.
- The result is expected to shape College Football Playoff seeding, with the winner likely securing the No. 1 spot.