Football Player Apologizes to Bettors for Wild Game-Ending Play

The Indiana Hoosiers walked away with a close win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, but the final score tells a slightly different story than what actually happened on the field.

Indiana won the game 20-15, but they could have won by seven instead of five. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza ran 40-yards in the opposite direction to drain the clock on the final play, stopping in the end zone where he was tackled for a safety.

This Indiana intentional safety might be important to you or someone you know pic.twitter.com/lFmaMRXdvP

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The play was ultimately meaningless in the big picture of the game, but it meant a lot to those who had bet on the points spread for Saturday afternoon's matchup. After the game, Mendoza acknowledged how his play made the day worse for those who wagered.

Why Did Mendoza Run To The End Zone?

After the win, Mendoza said that he was simply following his coach's orders on the last play.

"Coach said, 'Hey, take a safety, run out of the end zone,'" he said. "When I got to the 2, I saw all zeros on the clock, but I kept going."

Mendoza then said "I know I really cooked people's spreads. My apologies out to them."

Many sportsbooks and wagering services had Indiana as a -6 favorite, and they would have covered that spread if the game ended with them winning by 7. Instead, the final deficit was five, swinging the bet outcome in the opposite direction with no time left on the clock.

Mendoza may have drawn the ire of sports bettors on Saturday, but he made big plays for his team during the game. On Indiana's previous possession, he threw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown - 49 yards to Elijah Sarratt.

Mendoza: Hero to Some, Villain to Others

"It was kind of 'dealer's choice,'" the quarterback said about going through his reads on the decisive touchdown throw. "When the game's on the line and I can throw a pass like that to my guy Elijah ... that's college football. That's what it's all about."

Indiana remans undefeated as they look to make back-to-back trips to the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers experienced a resurgent year under head coach Curt Cignetti, and he's looking to make noise in a crowded and prestigious Big Ten conference.

THe Hoosiers avoided some of the Big Ten's best teams last season because of their schedule, but they won't be as lucky in 2025. Games against teams like Oregon and Penn State remain on their schedule for the rest of the season.

The Hoosiers got creative on the game's last play, and they may need to do so again to avoid their first loss of the season. We'll see what they pull off for the rest of the year, and if they have any close calls with fans who had a little more than their school spirit invested in the outcome.