Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza bloodied after big hit

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza was on the receiving finish of an enormous hit within the first quarter of the nationwide championship recreation towards the Miami Hurricanes on Monday.

Mendoza handed the ball to his operating again and handed to the Miami defenders, pretending to dam. Nonetheless, Mendoza bit off a bit greater than he might chew.

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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza seems to move towards Miami throughout the first half of the Faculty Soccer Playoff nationwide championship recreation, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Lynne Sladky/AP Picture)

Hurricanes defenseman Jakobe Thomas met Mendoza and knocked the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback backwards. Mendoza fell and the ESPN broadcast confirmed he was bleeding from his lip.

Faculty soccer followers puzzled if Thomas averted a concentrating on penalty throughout the recreation. It seemed like Thomas hit Mendoza with the crown of his helmet. The crew on responsibility on the sphere didn’t catch it and the experience continued.

TRUMP ARRIVES AT INDIANA-MIAMI COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes towards Miami throughout the first half of the Faculty Soccer Playoff nationwide championship recreation, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Picture)

Mendoza is used to taking some massive hits. He took an enormous hit towards Iowa earlier this season and acquired the tie rating on the primary play of the sport towards Ohio State. He stayed within the recreation each instances and the Hoosiers received.

Indiana’s scoring began later within the first quarter with a area aim. Then, with about 6:13 left within the second quarter, Mendoza led the Hoosiers down the sphere and handed the ball to Riley Nowakowski to punch it in. The Hoosiers had a 10-0 lead on the time.

Indiana takes the sphere towards Miami for the Faculty Soccer Playoff nationwide championship recreation between Miami and Indiana, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Marta Lavandier/AP Picture)

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If the rating holds, Indiana will have fun its first school soccer nationwide championship.

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