The post Former Fox Sports Analyst Questions Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman Win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza earned a decisive Heisman Trophy victory Saturday night, but not everyone is convinced of his candidacy.
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Former Fox Sports commentator Skip Bayless questioned the selection on social media, arguing that Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was more deserving despite finishing second in the voting.
Bayless congratulated Mendoza but said Pavia’s performance on the field outweighed any concerns about his conduct.
Mendoza won easily, receiving 643 first-place votes, while Pavia received 189 first-place votes, sweeping all six geographic voting districts. Fans voted for Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Bayless pointed to Pavia’s historic season at Vanderbilt, where he led the Commodores to 10 wins for the first time in program history. Pavia passed for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 826 yards and nine scores last season after winning seven games and upsetting a then-No. 1 team. 1 alabama.
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Pavia’s lack of big wins this season is a cause for concern. Vanderbilt’s best win came against No. 25 Missouri, and Pavia threw six touchdowns and four interceptions against the winning FBS team, causing the Commodores to miss the College Football Playoff.
As for Mendoza, he led Indiana to an undefeated season and a No. 1 ranking. He threw for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, rushed for six scores and had signature performances in comeback wins over Penn State and an upset victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game.
Mendoza’s resume relied heavily on defense in key wins, but Heisman voters overwhelmingly backed him to take college football’s highest individual honor.