Mendoza, IU football receiver trio stay in perfect sync in win against Michigan State
- Josh Pos
- 1h ago
A great maestro is nothing without his orchestra, and for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, his ensemble works in perfect harmony.
In No. 3 Indiana’s 38–13 win against Michigan State on Saturday, Mendoza was the conductor. He orchestrated a dynamic performance with top receivers Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr. and EJ Williams Jr., the leading members of a finely tuned offensive unit.
“We have such a special core on our offense, with the receiver core, Sarratt, Cooper and Williams,” Mendoza said postgame. “It really is a perfect marriage, and we’re seeing the results in the field right now.”
Mendoza finished the victory with 24 completed passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns. Of the 24 completions, he found the trio a combined 17 times for 244 yards and all four scores.
Each of Mendoza’s touchdown passes got increasingly more impressive as the game marched on. When preseason All-American Sarratt wasn’t open, Mendoza quickly found either Cooper Jr. or Williams Jr. or vice versa.
Much of the attention has surrounded the tandem of Sarratt and Cooper Jr. However, Williams Jr. is in the midst of a wildly impactful season. After a quiet week at Oregon, Williams Jr. caught five passes for 59 yards, scoring the game’s opening touchdown. The sixth-year senior earned a heap of praise from Cooper Jr., who is also a beneficiary of the breakout season.
“A lot of people sleep on EJ because of me and Elijah, but EJ is a really good player, and he was able to show you all that today,” Cooper Jr. said. “The fact that it’s three of us allows us to go out there and play more free.
“We got more weapons than you can hold, knowing that you can’t just double-team one person.”
Cooper Jr. tallied a team-high eight catches for 115 yards and a touchdown, further cementing himself as one of the best receivers in the conference.
Even being behind Sarratt, the Indianapolis product continues to be a significant piece of the potent IU offense.
While “Heismendoza” chants were audible in Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in the fourth quarter, the signal-caller’s top receiver may be just as worthy of college football’s highest honor.
Sarratt has been Indiana’s No. 1 receiver for two years, and in a matter of seven games, has jumped into the top echelon of receivers.
He didn’t catch his first pass until the first drive of the second half and finished with a modest four receptions. The Stafford, Virginia, native made his catches count, however. He finished with 70 yards and touchdown receptions of 24 and 27 yards.
The senior continues to lead Indiana in all three pass-catching categories, tallying a touchdown reception in six-straight games. His 43-straight games with at least one catch is the longest active streak in FBS.
Sarratt remains one of the nation’s most consistent players, making history with performances that go beyond just video game stats. His nickname of ‘Waffle House’ lives on for many reasons, including the distractions Cooper Jr. and Williams Jr. force upon defenses.
Mendoza’s accuracy, accompanied by the athleticism of his pass-catchers, is a match made in football heaven. Having three guys at their skill level is rare in college football. All three possess NFL-caliber skills and are elevating Mendoza’s game, boosting his status as a top draft prospect.
The rapport Mendoza has with his best receivers is eye-opening. It is a mutually beneficial relationship that has opposing defenses baffled. They have a combined 82 catches for 1,152 yards and 15 touchdowns in the first seven games.
“Without [Mendoza], we wouldn’t be able to do a lot of stuff that we’re doing,” Sarratt said. “He’s a great quarterback.”
Mendoza continues to get better weekly. His efficient numbers are a byproduct of his consistent striving for greatness.
“It’s time, organization, smart use of time, and proper preparation,” head coach Curt Cignetti said. “He wants to be a great player. I’ve never seen anybody really quite jump into it like that before.”
Mendoza’s commitment isn’t just talk — it shows up in the way he approaches every detail of his preparation.
Whether it’s extra reps after practice or additional time in the film room, Mendoza’s drive to improve doesn’t stop with himself — it elevates everyone around him. His determination sets the tone for the entire team.
“He lives in this facility,” Sarratt said. “A lot of people don’t do what he does, and I feel like that’s what takes him to the next level.”
The offense clicking is remarkable on its own — even more so considering their first meeting was less than 10 months ago.
Mendoza often calls his team a “band of brothers.” But through seven games, Indiana’s offense has become something even more: a full philharmonic, performing in sync like a well-rehearsed symphony.
It’s a sound Bloomington hasn’t heard before — but every Saturday, the music keeps getting louder.
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