Overcoming Rejection in Athletics

THE 2025 SEASON Going into the 2025 season, Mendoza was ranked 24th in Heisman Trophy odds. A two-star recruit from nowhere, on a program that had not won the Big Ten since 1967, playing for a fanbase that had spent decades dreaming of relevance. What followed was one of the most complete quarterback seasons in recent college football history. Mendoza threw for 2,980 yards and a national-best 33 touchdown passes while adding six rushing scores. He led Indiana to a perfect 13-