Overview
- Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza became the program’s first Heisman winner with 643 first-place votes and 2,362 points, far ahead of Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia with 189 first-place votes and 1,435 points.
- Mendoza’s season included an undefeated run, a Big Ten title over Ohio State, and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
- Following the ceremony, Pavia posted an Instagram story reading “F-all the voters” and was later seen in a club next to a sign insulting Indiana, drawing widespread criticism.
- On Sunday night, Pavia apologized on X, saying he mishandled his emotions, showed respect for the voters, and praised Mendoza as a deserving winner.
- Pavia, who passed for 3,192 yards with 27 touchdowns and rushed for 826 yards and nine scores, said he plans to play in Vanderbilt’s ReliaQuest Bowl against Iowa on Dec. 31.