Mendoza’s 4 TDs Propel No. 23 Indiana to Dominant 56-9 Win Over Kennesaw State

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Fernando Mendoza threw four touchdown passes and led a high-powered offensive attack as No. 23 Indiana rolled past Kennesaw State 56-9 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Mendoza, a redshirt junior transfer from the University of California, was sharp from the outset, completing 18 of 25 passes for 245 yards. He connected with Elijah Sarratt for three scores (3, 9, and 20 yards) and added an 8-yard strike to E.J. Williams early in the fourth quarter to cap off his efficient afternoon. “I was glad to see Sarratt bust out and those guys hook up,” said Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti. “They had some success together, and that’s what we need moving forward.” The Hoosiers (2-0) were in control throughout, building a 21-6 halftime lead before putting the game away with a 35-point second half. Cignetti, in his first year at the helm, praised his team’s focus and effort. “I liked the way our guys kept playing one play at a time,” he said. “I was a little bit of a tyrant in the fourth quarter, but my job is to make the team better — so that’s the way it is.” Indiana racked up 593 total yards and didn’t commit a turnover. The defense, meanwhile, held Kennesaw State (0-2) out of the end zone, allowing just three field goals by Daniel Kinney (28, 29, and 50 yards). Running back Lee Beebe Jr. led the Hoosiers on the ground with 90 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Riley Nowakowski added a short 1-yard TD plunge. Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. provided a highlight-reel moment with a 75-yard reverse for a touchdown following a fumble recovery. Cooper also contributed a 40-yard reception on Indiana’s opening scoring drive. “Cooper’s reverse was a really big play in the game — a really good run and a lot of downfield blocking,” Cignetti noted. In a feel-good moment late in the fourth quarter, Mendoza was replaced by his younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, a redshirt freshman, who completed all three of his pass attempts for 35 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown to tight end Charlie Becker — the first of his career.

On the other side, Kennesaw State struggled to generate consistent offense. Quarterback Amari Odom finished 10 of 16 for 176 yards, but the Owls failed to reach the end zone for the second straight week against Power 4 competition. “It was not a good day for us,” said Owls head coach Jerry Mack. “We saw a lot of different areas we have to improve on. Teams like this hold you accountable for your mistakes.” The win should help the Hoosiers maintain or improve their No. 23 national ranking after slipping three spots following a less convincing 27-14 win over Old Dominion in Week 1. “I’m never relieved,” Cignetti said with a laugh. “I’ll be relieved when I go up to my office and crack open a beer. You’ve got to keep the pedal to the metal.”