Fernando Mendoza shifts focus from homecoming to Hoosiers' run - ESPN

MIAMI GARDENS, 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 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 threw 41 touchdown passes and just six picks this season. «Whether we win or lose this football game, I know that I'm going to be able to sleep, rest at night knowing I did everything possible to prepare for this game, and everything possible in order to help the Hoosiers win this game. Although it means a lot to myself, being from Miami, having family from Miami, growing up a University of Miami fan, it's the national championship. It means so much for Bloomington, it means so much for my teammates. It would mean so much for everybody around. I don't want to put the spotlight on myself, but on everybody.»

This comes as no surprise to Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, who has built the Hoosiers into a monster by investing in players exactly as understated and dedicated to the process as Mendoza.

On Saturday, Cignetti was asked about his ability to build a winner without a host of four- and five-star recruits, and he laughed that he's «never looked at a star» but he does invest in landing the right people.

Of course, Cignetti said, it's still hard to know for sure about guys through the chaos of the transfer portal — except Mendoza.

«I felt