“Few More Weapons”: Curt Cignetti Confesses Why Indiana Was Better Off in Fernando Mendoza Era Amid QB Comparisons

Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover has stepped into a role that comes with the expectations of a national championship-winning predecessor, Fernando Mendoza. But comparing the Hoosiers’ current offense with the one that powered their 2025 title run raises an interesting question about what has changed beyond the quarterback position. Speaking with Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN’s College GameDay, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti acknowledged that comparisons between Josh Hoover and Fernando Mendoza were inevitable. However, he highlighted how the available offensive personnel differed between the two quarterbacks, pointing toward depth and experience as important factors.