6-Banner Sunday: Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy
- Staff
- 7h ago
Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.
IU football had another huge moment this weekend. This time, it was without ever taking the field, as the program had its first-ever Heisman Trophy winner.
This was a bright spot in a mixed week for IU athletics on the court. As usual, we will conclude with weekly shows and a look at the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, highlighted by volleyball, which played in its second-ever Sweet 16.
Here is what is in this week’s edition:
• Fernando Mendoza is the first Heisman Trophy winner in IU football history
• IU basketball dominates Penn State in Big Ten home opener
• Hoosiers fall to Kentucky for third loss in four games
• IU women bounce back with a win against Louisiana-Monroe
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup
Banner #1 – Fernando Mendoza is the first Heisman Trophy winner in IU football history
After its first Big Ten Championship since 1967, Indiana football has had a couple of things occur for the first time in program history this week. These firsts were the Hoosiers moving to No. 1 in the nation and quarterback Fernando Mendoza winning the Heisman Trophy.
IU will continue its magical season in the Rose Bowl as it chases a national championship. This matchup is on New Year’s Day at 4 p.m. ET against Alabama or Oklahoma on ESPN.
Banner #2 – IU basketball dominates Penn State in Big Ten home opener
IU basketball’s conference home opener against Penn State had many bright spots. The Nittany Lions are picked to finish near the bottom of the league and were far from spectacular on Tuesday night.
However, Indiana was fantastic and did everything right. Led by Lamar Wilkerson’s Assembly Hall record of 44 points, Indiana routed PSU 113-72. Wilkerson hit a Hoosier record 10 3-pointers on the night as the squad went 17-for-31 from long range on the evening.
Afterwards, IU coach Darian DeVries spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a The Minute After and Film Session, Alex Bozich penned Five Takeaways and Nick Rodecap put together a column about Wilkerson’s record night.
Banner #3 – Hoosiers fall to Kentucky for third loss in four games
Under DeVries and a new roster, Hoosier fans were promised a more modern offense that emphasizes the 3-point shot. However, despite continued attempts against Kentucky, the shots did not fall.
IU came out strong, led 49-42 against the struggling Wildcats, and competed hard. However, from there UK turned up the heat and easily dispatched Indiana from here on out for a 72-60 victory.
One bright spot came at the charity stripe for IU as they made 26 of their 29 attempts. However, this was nowhere near enough for a squad that lives and dies from long range, as they went just 4-for-24 from distance.
Afterwards, coach DeVries spoke, and Corazza wrote a Minute After. The Hoosiers finish their recent tough stretch at 1-3 and are 8-3 overall this season. The squad takes the week off for final exams before a much simpler home matchup against Chicago State next Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on BIG+.
Banner #4 – IU women bounce back with a win against Louisiana-Monroe
Women’s basketball also experienced significant roster turnover this offseason. However, they did return two program stalwarts in Lenee Beaumont and Shay Ciezki.
Ciezki has been excellent in the early going. Her scoring and long-range shooting are the main reasons the squad has been competitive for the most part early on.
Without starting center Zania Socka-Nguemen for the foreseeable future, Indiana got back on track with a strong effort and dominant 98-54 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday. The squad sits at 9-2 overall and faces Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. ET today on BIG+.
Banner #5 – Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, former Inside the Hall writer Cameron Drummond joined Bozich for a discussion about Kentucky.
The Back Home Network has several new shows. As a result, it was on air many times this week as well with programming.
Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup
• Volleyball had its historic season end Friday afternoon in the Sweet 16 against top-seed Texas after taking the Longhorns to the brink in each set. As a result of the success, Indiana had several players honored regionally.
• Track and field competed at the Early Bird Meet.
• Wrestling signed a recruit and beat ranked Little Rock and Army this week.
• Baseball’s pitching coach, Dustin Glant, who has struggled during his time in Bloomington, is leaving the program for a professional opportunity.
• Men’s soccer player Palmer Ault is a semifinalist for the award given to the top college soccer player in the nation.
• Finally, many Indiana athletes were recognized for their academic excellence.
Now go enjoy yourself a 6-Banner Sunday.
Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor
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