Fernando Mendoza national championship speech: Indiana QB drops rare F-bomb as celebration begins

Daniel Chavkin

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Fernando Mendoza national championship speech: Indiana QB drops rare F-bomb as celebration begins image

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza rose to stardom this season, going from a relative unknown to Heisman Trophy winner and national champion.

Along the way, Mendoza became known for his upbeat, polished, and polite nature. The QB has a positive, clean-cut demeanor. However, after the Hoosiers won the title Monday night, Mendoza dropped a rare curse in his postgame speech when he was named offensive player of the game.

Here’s how Mendoza celebrated Indiana’s national title.

MORE: Fernando Mendoza is on brink of rare triple feat

Fernando Mendoza national championship speech

As ESPN’s Rece Davis presented Indiana with the national championship trophy, Mendoza endeared himself to the country even more by unexpectedly cursing on national television.

While his speech at the podium was more exciting, his postgame interview with Holly Rowe was more in depth. After the game ended, Mendoza spoke with Rowe about the win, talking about his journey to this moment while praising the Miami defense.

Mendoza especially explained why he trusted his team so much, and he showed off the bruises on his arm from the night.

"I was a two-star recruit coming out of high school, I got declined a walk-on offer to the University of Miami, full circle moment here playing in Miami in front of all the friends and family," he said.

MORE: Fernando Mendoza's rushing touchdown seals national title

Fernando Mendoza  stats against Miami

  • Completions/Attempts: 16/27
  • Passing yards: 186
  • Passing touchdowns: 0
  • Turnovers: 0
  • Rushing touchdowns: 1 

Mendoza's stats in the national championship don't jump off the page, but he protected the ball well and made big plays when it mattered the most. While he only scored one touchdown, it was a big one as he ran for a score late in the game to give Indiana a two-score lead.

MORE: Indiana beats Miami to win first ever National Championship

Fernando Mendoza season stats

  • Games: 16
  • Completion percentage: 72%
  • Passing yards: 3,535
  • Passing touchdowns: 41
  • Interceptions: 6
  • Rushing yards: 276
  • Rushing touchdowns: 7

Mendoza's tremendous season included leading the Big Ten in passing touchdowns and producing career highs across the board. In the College Football Playoff, he had nine total touchdowns and didn't turn the ball over as Indiana won three-more games.

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