playFernando Mendoza excited to go home and play title game in Miami (1:50)Fernando Mendoza discusses playing against Miami in the national championship, growing up just miles from campus. (1:50)David HaleJan 17, 2026, 01:32 PM ETCloseCollege football reporter. Joined ESPN in 2012. Graduate of the University of Delaware. Follow on XEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- The national championship game is a homecoming for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who grew up in Miami and graduated from Columbus High, but he's not exactly basking in the glory of being the prodigal son made good. The Heisman Trophy winner talked about coming back to his hometown with a chance to win a championship Saturday, and he was quick to shift the attention from himself onto the Hoosiers' incredible run."I can be selfish, saying, 'Oh, it's Miami, it's a homecoming,' and stuff like that, but in reality, all that matters is the football game," said Mendoza, who has thrown 41 touchdown passes and just six interceptions this season.
