"Whether we win or lose this football game, I know that I'm going to be able to sleep, rest at night knowing I did everything possible to prepare for this game, and everything possible in order to help the Hoosiers win this game. Although it means a lot to myself, being from Miami, having family from Miami, growing up a University of Miami fan, it's the national championship. It means so much for Bloomington, it means so much for my teammates. It would mean so much for everybody around. I don't want to put the spotlight on myself, but on everybody."
"I felt extremely strong about Fernando,"
"I knew we had something great."
Fernando Mendoza, a Miami native and Heisman winner, returns to his hometown to play the national championship for Indiana. Mendoza emphasizes team achievement over his personal homecoming and says he will be able to sleep knowing he prepared fully and did everything possible to help the Hoosiers win. He threw 41 touchdowns and had six interceptions this season. Coach Curt Cignetti credits building a winner through recruiting and development rather than star rankings, saying he 'never looked at a star' and focuses on landing the right people. Cignetti says he was extremely confident in Mendoza despite transfer-portal uncertainty.
Read at ESPN.com
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