Fernando Mendoza vs. Dante Moore: The key stats you need to know in 2026 NFL Draft debate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore didn’t have much of a Big Ten quarterback duel when Indiana beat Oregon in the college football regular season. But now that both QBs have led their teams to playoff semifinals, a lot more is at stake.
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When Mendoza’s Hoosiers have their rematch with Moore’s Ducks in Friday’s Peach Bowl in Atlanta, there will be a trip to the national championship game at stake. The outcome and the related performances will also help determine which QB goes to the top of the draft class in 2026.
With the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets having the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks and badly needing quarterbacks, the franchises will spend a lot of time on vetting Mendoza vs. Moore.
Between arm strength, accuracy, pocket presence and intangibles, there’s a lot to like about Mendoza (6-5, 225), the Heisman Trophy winner, and Moore, a well-rounded talent. But their head-to-head stats will no doubt have some influence on who ends up coming off the board first.
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Here’s looking at their seasons before playing again, including what happened in the previous matchup on Oct. 11:
NFL MOCK DRAFT:Â Where Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore land in latest projections
Fernando Mendoza vs. Dante Moore season stats
Statistic
Mendoza
Moore
Passing yards per game
226.6
234.3
Passing YPA
9.6
8.8
Passing TDs
36
28
INTs
6
9
Passer rating (NFL)
130.8
114.5
Rushing yards
256
184
Rushing YPA
3.3
2.7
Rushing TDs
6
2
Record
14-0
13-1
Moore had more volume, but in terms of efficiency and every other category, Mendoza stood out as the worthy Heisman winner, with Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin making the cut over Moore as finalists. Neither Mendoza nor Moore would be considered dual threats with their running, but they have enough wheels to extend pass plays and rush for key yardage in big moments.
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Fernando Mendoza vs. Dante Moore, head-to-head stats
Here are the numbers both QBs put when facing each other’s tough defenses back on Oct. 11, played at Oregon’s Autzen Stadium:
Statistic
Mendoza
Moore
Passing yards
215
186
Passing YPA
6.9
5.5
Passing TDs
1
1
INTs
1
2
Passer rating (NFL)
82.1
61.6
Rushing yards
31
-27
Rushing YPA
5.2
-3.0
Rushing TDs
0
0
Points score
30
20
That wasn’t the best showcase game for either QB, given the respective degrees of difficulty. Mendoza did outplay Moore. Expect both QBs to perform much better as more seasoned and playoff-winning passers almost three months later.
MORE:Â Five players to watch in the Indiana vs. Oregon CPF semifinal
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Fernando Mendoza vs. Dante Moore: Who should go No 1?
The Raiders already are on the clock for April 23 in Pittsburgh. Given the influence of former Big Ten passer Tom Brady as part-owner, he has a tough decision to make for the new face of the franchise. Mendoza, given his gritty profile and clutch confidence, would seem to fit better as the Raiders’ savior.
Moore, meanwhile, might be the right QB on whom the Jets can take a shot with his mental and physical attributes to deliver for Aaron Glenn and Tanner Engstrand, who coached Jared Goff in Detroit. Another QB such as Alabama’s Ty Simpson could emerge in the conversation, but for now, Mendoza is the man.
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There’s a long way to go in the draft process, however, including the Combine and pro days. Mendoza vs. Moore started off mild, but it’s become red-hot on the biggest stages.
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