Indiana fans think Fernando Mendoza eats like a child because of a viral fake post

Jeff Hauser

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Indiana fans think Fernando Mendoza eats like a child because of a viral fake post image

Indiana fans spent part of this week laughing at what looked like a perfectly on-brand viral quote about Fernando Mendoza — and then collectively realizing they’d been had.

One post that made the rounds on social  claimed that the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback fueled himself before big games with dinosaur chicken nuggets and mac and cheese, labeling it “a meal of champions.” The fake quote came from parody account Sean Tuttle and spread fast enough that it briefly passed as real before media availability provided some clarity.

The unfortunate truth? There is no truth. Mendoza never said it, and no one actually knows what his go-to pregame dinner consists of. What is safe to say is that it almost certainly doesn’t involve dino nugs and Kraft dinner, as the Canadians would say. Despite how perfectly it fit the internet’s idea of his laid-back, goofy personality.

Everybody was laughing but it wasn't real

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That personality has become part of Mendoza’s appeal this season, especially as Indiana prepared for another high-profile postseason moment alongside the Oregon Ducks. The two teams even crossed paths again while landing nearly simultaneously at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport ahead of their College Football Playoff showdown in the Peach Bowl. Mendoza joked about the shared arrival, noting Indiana’s police escort and the awkward timing of Oregon having to wait.

From two-star to Heisman Trophy winner

Off the field, Mendoza has leaned into controlling the noise by largely avoiding social media, keeping only LinkedIn and YouTube on his phone. On the field, he’s been anything but quiet, flipping the switch into a fierce competitor who has helped power Indiana into the national title conversation and winning a Heisman Trophy. 

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What hasn’t gone unnoticed is how Hoosier Nation has rallied around him. Mendoza pointed to the Rose Bowl atmosphere against Alabama as a turning point, describing it as essentially a home game. That same energy is expected Friday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as Indiana plays for a spot in the CFP national championship.

Much of this transformation traces back to head coach Curt Cignetti, who famously told fans to “Google me” upon arrival. Now, with a Heisman-level quarterback and a Big Ten title, Indiana isn’t laughing stock or punchline anymore — even when the internet gets the joke wrong.

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News Correspondent