Fernando Mendoza headlines AP’s all-College Football Playoff team after leading Indiana to title

Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza spent the College Football Playoff showing the nation just why he earned the Heisman Trophy.

Mendoza threw more touchdown passes (eight) than incompletions (five) in Indiana’s first two playoff victories — lopsided wins over Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal and Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal. His statistics weren’t quite as impressive in Monday’s 27-21 championship game victory over Miami, but he showed plenty of poise and guile while returning to his hometown.