By Sara Jane | @saraajn_ Sports Capital Journalism Program LOS ANGELES — As the No. 1 team in the nation prepares for the Rose Bowl against Alabama, the narrative surrounding the historic rise of the Indiana Hoosiers often focuses on explosive plays or defensive schemes. But inside the locker room, the players know the truth…. Read more »
The Business of Loyalty: Coogan’s Journey From Indiana Opponent to Leader
By Chris Schumerth | @ChrisSchumerth Sports Capital Journalism Program LOS ANGELES—Pat Coogan was an intriguing name to show up in the transfer portal a little more than eleven months ago. The 6-5, 310-pounder from Palo Heights, Illinois had started 26 games at center and left guard in his previous two seasons at Notre Dame, including… Read more »
From the Archives: How Georgia, Oklahoma Revolutionized the College Football Industry
(Editor’s Note: In December, 2017, when football teams from the University of Georgia and University of Oklahoma prepared to meet in a semifinal of the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl, Sports Capital Journalism Program student Alaa Abdeldaiem was assigned a story on the impact the universities had on the college football industry through… Read more »
Mendoza’s Triumphant Moment Presents a Platform to Serve Others
By Cameron Cocquyt | @CameronCocquyt Sports Capital Journalism Program NEW YORK — Emotions ran high when Fernando Mendoza finally heard his name called, pressed his eyes shut, and took the stage at Jazz at Lincoln Center to accept the 2025 Heisman Trophy. With tears in his eyes and a shaky voice, the first recipient in… Read more »
‘The Greatest Day of my Life’: Fernando Mendoza Wins Heisman Trophy
By Chris Schumerth | @ChrisSchumerth Sports Capital Journalism Program NEW YORK — “HEISMENDOZA….HEISMENDOZA….” The party crashers were there to celebrate the guest of honor. For the first time in the 127-year history of Indiana University football, the 91st Heisman Trophy was awarded to quarterback Fernando Mendoza, whose teammates celebrated college football’s most prestigious award by… Read more »
Mendoza Considers a Legacy: A Heisman That Would Become Bloomington’s
By Cameron Cocquyt | @CameronCocquyt Sports Capital Journalism Program NEW YORK — When Fernando Mendoza speaks, two things quickly seem to radiate: family and football. To the end of an historic Indiana University football season, one that could soon include the school’s first winner of the Heisman Trophy, the quarterback of the Hoosiers has never… Read more »
Love Weighs his Future as he Extends Notre Dame’s Heisman Heritage
By Chris Schumerth | @ChrisSchumerth Sports Capital Journalism Program NEW YORK – Less than a week after Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love and the 10-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish became the first team to be left out of the College Football Playoff, and nearly a year after the Irish lost the national championship game, Love… Read more »
From The Archives: After an Historic Season, Indiana’s Cignetti Wins Eddie Robinson Award
(Editor’s Note: In the 68 seasons that the Football Writers Association of America has presented an award for National Coach of the Year, named for Hall-of-Fame coach Eddie Robinson of Grambling in 1997, there has never been a back-to-back winner. Darrell Royal of Texas came the closest, winning in 1961 and 1963. With Curt Cignetti… Read more »
Indiana Defeats Ohio State for First Outright Big Ten Football Title Since 1945
By Chris Schumerth | @ChrisSchumerth Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – The moment had once been confined to cramped dressing rooms at Iowa and Oregon and Penn State, raucous, off-key celebrations along the way to the perfection of an historic night. Ah one, ah two, you know what to do… The Indiana Hoosiers would bark… Read more »
HeisMendoza? Indiana QB Delivers Big Ten Title, Closing Argument
By Sara Jane | @saraajn_ Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – The most anticipated night in the history of Indiana University football began with a frightening moment of apprehension. On Indiana’s first offensive play of the Big Ten Championship Football Game against top-ranked Ohio State, just after Fernando Mendoza delivered a 9-yard completion to wide… Read more »