It becomes full circle for Haas graduate and former Cal QB Fernando Mendoza
The Raiders QB and No. 1 overall draft pick, who got his UC Berkeley undergrad degree at Haas, was finally able to walk at today's commencement at the Greek Theater
"Coach [Cignetti] has always made sure to not boost our confidence too high... and always to take the next game as serious, if not more serious than the previous game."
More from @MattLeinartQB's Power Player of the Week, QB Fernando Mendoza on the @IndianaFootball turnaround.
"The Tight End out of Cal ..."? Well, as they say, it's an honor just to be mentioned, even if it is kind of obliquely. Does that mean that @JackEndries isn't a name to know? 🤔
Biggest thing with Fernando Mendoza is sacks. 40 sacks ranked T-4th most in the FBS in 2024, and his 25.6% pressure to sack rate ranked 139th/156. Other than that tho everything else looks great
Fernando Mendoza podcast!
Sit down with @IndianaFootball's BIG time QB transfer, @qb_fernando on this episode of Player's Perspective. This one is a must watch!
Full Ep: https://t.co/aCz9U9rjnu
It’s never too early to talk about the emerging college football superpower, @IndianaFootball! Today, our guest is the crown jewel of the transfer class & EVERYTHING you could hope for in a leader-FERNANDO MENDOZA! @qb_fernando https://t.co/BtjwchU6Os
98 Yards with My Boys
From the two-yard line, the journey began, With dreams of the Axe and a Bowl Game plan, Mendoza at the helm, cool as can be, With every yard, the fellas wrote history.
First pass to Nyziah incomplete, a challenge we faced, But pass interference called, we’d not be displaced, A catch by Grizzell—just nine yards long, Then Ott slipped back, a loss to digest, But we wouldn’t falter; we’d rise to the test.
Mendoza scrambled, showing his might, A six-yard dash brought victory back into sight
But the sack came quick, a seven-yard fall, Yet in our hearts, we knew we’d stand tall, With 4th & 2 on the thirty-eight, A conversion to Jack Endries sealed our fate.
Memorial roared and excitement amassed, A first down deep bomb to Hunter, we moved fast, To the twenty-one, we were breaking the mold, With every heartbeat, our story was told.
But a sack came again, our path now obscured, Yet hope flickered bright; we remained assured. 3rd & 11, the Old Blues breath held tight, Then it happened—the play of the night.
From twenty-two yards, a prayer went high, Mendoza unleashed it, reaching the sky, And there at the end, with Jonathan Brady’s fingers that stretched, A fingertip catch, Touchdown Bears! Our dreams finally etched.
Though held and pulled, the moment divine, A Brady touchdown secured, a fate so entwined, With a two-point conversion by Ott, we sealed the score, This drive with my boys, I couldn’t love more.
So remember this moment, this magical scene, Ninety-eight yards, where legends convene, In the annals of sports, where triumphs combine, The 2024 Cal Bears etched their names on the Axe , forever to shine.