Fernando Mendoza is basking in the glory of his recent Heisman Trophy win while leading the Indiana Hoosiers into the College Football Playoff. However, the celebration took a turn when Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, a fellow Heisman finalist, voiced his dissatisfaction with the voting results. Pavia, a seasoned player for the Commodores, did not hold back on social media, sharing a candid post on his Instagram Stories expressing his frustration with the voting process.
In his post, Pavia made a bold statement: “F-All the voters,” accompanied by a thumbs-down emoji, as he posed with teammates. The veteran quarterback finished the voting in second place, yet the margin was significant, with Mendoza garnering 643 first-place votes compared to Pavia’s 189.
After a night of personal reflection, Pavia later took to X to clarify his earlier comments. He acknowledged the honor of being a Heisman finalist and expressed the pain of coming up short in what he considers a significant dream. “I didn’t handle those emotions well,” he admitted, adding, “I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful.”
In his apology, Pavia recognized Mendoza as a deserving recipient of the prestigious award, alongside fellow finalists Jeremiyah and Julian. He reflected on his journey, emphasizing the continuous struggle he has faced, stating, “I’ve been doubted my whole life,” and expressing gratitude towards his family and team for their unwavering support.
Mendoza’s performance has indeed been impressive, leading the Hoosiers through a season highlighted by a Big Ten Championship victory against Ohio State. He has maintained an undefeated record, which catapulted the Hoosiers to the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Critics, however, have pointed out that Mendoza’s yardage—2,980—despite his impressive 33 touchdowns against just six interceptions, fell short in some metrics.
In contrast, Pavia’s own statistics showcase his strong performance this season. Playing in his second year at Vanderbilt after transferring from New Mexico State, he led the SEC with a 71.2% completion rate, passing for 3,192 yards and scoring 27 touchdowns, in addition to nine rushing scores.
Pavia’s assertion that he should be considered the best player in college football was echoed in his previous statements, where he emphasized the importance of statistics and game footage in defining excellence in the sport. Despite the disappointment with the Heisman results, he remains focused on preparing for the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl, hoping to leave a lasting impact on the field alongside his teammates.
As the football season wraps up, the spotlight now shifts to Mendoza and Pavia, both of whom have made their mark in college football with compelling performances and aspirations for the future.
