‘Brotherhood’ Fuels IU’s Clutch Late-Game Success
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - If Saturday night’s Big Ten title game at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium becomes a cliffhanger, if it comes down to delivering a crunch-time, game-winning drive, second-ranked Indiana (12-0) might have the edge over top-ranked Ohio State (12-0).
The Hoosiers, seeking its first outright Big Ten title since 1945 and first-ever top seed in the upcoming playoffs, certainly have the experience.
They have had three fourth-quarter game-winning moments this season, all on the road at Iowa, Oregon, and Penn State. The biggest came with the dramatic drive to beat Penn State, culminating in quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s under-extreme-pressure touchdown pass to receiver Omar Cooper Jr., who made a spectacular catch at the back of the end zone while getting both feet in bounds.
Ohio State’s season-long dominance hasn’t required any late-game heroics.
Why has IU thrived when so many other teams struggle?
“It’s the brotherhood we have in each other,” Mendoza says. “It’s the belief we have in each other.
“We repeated what we did at Oregon for the Penn State drive. In the huddle, we were saying, ‘This is what we do. We win close games. We come from behind and win games like this.’
“It’s the unwavering belief the offensive line has in each other, that each position group has in each other. That is so special.
“When other teams are worried about personal stats and glory, our offense has that resiliency because of the selflessness. You run your route as hard as you can to get someone else open. You block your butt off to open a hole. You run as hard as you can to get that extra yard. For me, to be disciplined and take the check down.”
IU leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally by averaging 44.3 points a game. Mendoza, the Big Ten Graham-George offensive player of the year and the Griese-Brees quarterback of the year, completes 72.0 percent of his passes for 2,758 yards and a Big Ten-best 32 touchdown passes against five interceptions. He’s also rushed for 243 yards and six TDs.
It’s a huge improvement for Mendoza, who transferred to IU after a couple of strong years at the University of California.
“He needed work in the pocket, footwork, patience,” head coach Curt Cignetti says. “He made a big jump in the spring and then in fall camp. After the second or third game, you could see him get comfortable and make plays.
“Since the Illinois game, he’s been outstanding. The cold weather bothered him a little bit at Purdue. He’s a great leader and person. He’s highly intelligent. (Former NFL superstar quarterback) Tom Brady is his idol. I’ve never seen a guy put in the time to prepare like he does.”
Mendoza credits the offensive success to the fact this is a “player-led offense” as well as the detailed approach from Cignetti, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, and quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer.
“They get the fine details in every play, every situation,” Mendoza says. “It’s a very detail-oriented group. That’s what makes the Indiana offense so special.”
Mendoza refers to Whitmer implementing what he calls the PIMP of each pass play -- Protection, Intent, Mechanics, and Problems.
“It’s a detailed approach to process each play.”
Ohio State hasn’t faced a veteran quarterback of Mendoza’s skill set this season. The closest was Illinois’ Luke Altmyer (68.1 percent completions, 2,811 yards, 21 touchdowns, five interceptions).
“It will be a challenge,” says Buckeyes All-American safety Caleb Downs. “That’s what we want. We want to show who’s the best in the nation. It will be fun.
“He does a great job with his eyes. He can read coverages. I’ll study him and see what plays I can make.”
Mendoza is well aware of Downs’s playmaking ability. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year has two interceptions, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 52 overall tackles.
“It’s his versatility,” Mendoza says. “The way he’s able to rotate down and affect the run game. The way he can match, zone or man, and lock down that receiver. The way he can flip his hips and drive on a seam ball or any ball. It’s all really special.”
Ohio State senior defensive end Caden Curry, who played on a pair of Indiana state title teams at Center Grove High School, says the goal is to keep Mendoza in the pocket.
“We have the best backend (secondary) in the county,” Curry says. “It’s about rushing smartly and not having him get free lanes. Keep him contained and not let him do his own thing.”