Fernando Mendoza scored the biggest touchdown of his life during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff championship game. With the Indiana Hoosiers clinging to a three-point lead over the Miami Hurricanes and facing fourth-and-5 in the red zone, coach Curt Cignetti called the Heisman winner's number, and he responded with an all-time great touchdown run.
Fans went crazy. And Fernando Mendoza's family was the most excited of anyone. Including Max Mendoza, the Hoosier quarterback's little brother who was mic'd up, because why not? As he celebrated with a number of other young Indiana fans he grabbed his shirt collar and screamed "Fernando! Friggin'! Mendoza!" into the microphone.
Little Mendoza pic.twitter.com/IHn0QISUct
— tecca_videos (@TeccaVideo25351) January 20, 2026
While he's almost certainly going to get a stern talking to about the language, it was probably worth it. Indiana should be selling "Fernando Friggin Mendoza" t-shirts by daybreak. What a moment. What a soundbyte. That's exactly why you mic up a 10-year old at the sport's premiere event.
Good job by ESPN.
- Fernando Mendoza's Mom Had Funny Line About Her Son’s Legendary TD Run vs. Miami
- Indiana’s 16-0 Season Could Not Be More Unexpected Considering Program's History
- SI:AM | Indiana Completes Storybook Season With Thrilling Win Over Miami
- Carson Beck Ripped for 'Classless' Move After Final Whistle in National Title Game
- Indiana's Preseason Odds to Win College Football National Championship Makes History
This article was originally published on www.si.com as ESPN Mic’d Up Fernando Mendoza’s Little Brother and Got an All-Time Great Reaction.
