Joel Klatt: Fernando Mendoza-Indiana Corresponding to Tom Brady-Patriots Dynasty

[ad_1] Two years in the past, Indiana gained three video games. In simply the previous two weeks, quarterback Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers have overwhelmed the Alabama Crimson Tide within the quarterfinal spherical of the Faculty Soccer Playoff, 38-3, and the Oregon Geese within the semifinal spherical on Friday evening, 56-22, with the group a 3rd playoff win away from claiming the primary title in program historical past,

At this level, what can we even examine this Indiana group to? FOX Sports activities Lead Faculty Soccer Analyst Joel Klatt has a daring comparability in thoughts.

"This 12 months, they [Indiana] do resemble the Invoice Belichick-Tom Brady New England Patriots, the dynasty Patriots," Klatt stated about Indiana after its semifinal spherical win over Oregon on "The Joel Klatt Present." "Why? Effectively, as a result of that wasn't all the time essentially the most proficient group within the Nationwide Soccer League, however they did their job. They do not make errors, and so they go on the market and drive you to beat them. Additionally they then have continuity, and that is one thing that New England had for a very long time. They'd continuity on their teaching employees, and I do know guys got here and went. This Indiana group, they've a ton of continuity. What takes a group from good to nice? The important thing ingredient to go from superb to nice is that you have to have an incredible quarterback. New England had that with Tom Brady, and Indiana has that with Fernando Mendoza.

"And [with] Mendoza, there are placing similarities [to Brady]; guys which are hyper-prepared, very correct, prepared to take regardless of the protection offers, prepared to do no matter it takes it win, and Mendoza has been taking part in on an ungodly stage in playoff video games in opposition to a number of the finest competitors that our sport has to supply: eight touchdowns and 5 incomplete passes [in the postseason, and Indiana's win over Oregon was his] second-straight sport with extra touchdowns than incomplete passes. That is wild. Mendoza takes them from superb to nice."

The Massive Ten-champion and No. 1-seeded Hoosiers are 15-0 this season and a mixed 26-2 underneath head coach Curt Cignetti since 2024. Up to now this postseason, they've defeated Alabama and Oregon by a mixed rating of 94-25.

By means of 15 video games, Mendoza, who gained the 2025 Heisman Trophy Award and transferred to Indiana after spending three seasons with the California Golden Bears (2022-24), has totaled 3,349 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and a 188.0 passer score, whereas finishing 73.0% of his passes. He has additionally rushed for 284 yards and 6 touchdowns. This postseason, Mendoza has thrown eight touchdowns, zero interceptions and accomplished 86.1% of his passes.

In the meantime, Indiana operating backs Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black and Khobie Martin have rushed for a mixed 2,526 yards and 23 touchdowns; huge receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. have mixed for 28 receiving touchdowns, with Sarratt's 15 receiving scores main the game and fellow receiver Charlie Becker's 20.5 yards per reception main the Massive Ten.

As a collective entire, Indiana's offense is first within the Massive Ten in factors (42.6 per sport) and speeding yards (218.3 per sport), second in whole yards (461.0 per sport) and seventh in passing yards (242.7 per sport).

On the opposite facet of the ball, defensive again Louis Moore has reeled in six interceptions, whereas Amare Ferrell has introduced down 4 picks and Jamari Sharpe has pressured 4 fumbles. Indiana is tied for second within the nation with 45 sacks; linebacker Rolijah Hardy has a team-high eight sacks and 98 mixed tackles; fellow linebacker Isaiah Jones has tallied seven sacks and 76 mixed tackles; defensive lineman Stephen Daley has racked up 5.5 sacks, two pressured fumbles and a Massive-Ten excessive 19.0 tackles for loss.

The Hoosiers are first within the convention in opponent speeding yards (75.0 per sport), second in opponent factors (11.1 per sport) and opponent whole yards (260.9 per sport) and sixth in opponent passing yards (185.9 per sport).

As for Klatt's NFL comparability, Brady and Belichick gained six Tremendous Bowls collectively for the Patriots: 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018. Brady is first in NFL historical past with 89,214 passing yards and 649 passing touchdowns (2000-19 with the Patriots and 2020-22 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he then gained Tremendous Bowl LV), and Belichick is third in NFL historical past with 302 profession wins as an NFL head coach (2000-23 with the Patriots and 1991-95 with the Cleveland Browns).

The final merchandise on the agenda for Mendoza and the Hoosiers is dealing with off in opposition to the No. 10-seeded Miami Hurricanes — which is the one group with extra sacks than Indiana this season (47) — within the Nationwide Championship on Jan 19.

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