Fernando Mendoza threw a career-high four touchdown passes, including three to Elijah Sarratt, as No. 23 Indiana dominated Kennesaw State 56-9, Saturday in Bloomington, Ind.
Mendoza, a transfer from California, completed 18 of 25 passes for 245 yards without an interception for Indiana (2-0).
With his performance, Mendoza cleared the way for his younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, to enter in the fourth quarter and throw his first collegiate touchdown pass.
Lee Beebe Jr. carried 11 times for 90 yards and a touchdown, while Roman Hemby (nine carries, 64 yards) and Kaelon Black (10 carries, 57 yards) contributed to a balanced rushing attack for the Hoosiers.
Indiana gained 313 yards on the ground, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt. It was the second straight week that Indiana rushed for at least 300 yards.
Omar Cooper, Jr. made the most of his two touches, turning a short pass into a 40-yard reception which set up Indiana’s first score of the game and ripping off a 75-yard touchdown run on an end-around in the second half.
Sarratt finished with nine catches for 97 yards, while E.J. Williams Jr. and Charlie Becker made the other two scoring receptions for an efficient Indiana offense which cashed in with touchdowns on all seven of its trips to the red zone.
Last week, in its 27-13 season opening win over Old Dominion, the Hoosiers scored just 20 points on seven red zone opportunities.
Kennesaw State (0-2) was led by Amari Odom, who came off the bench to complete 10 of 16 passes for 176 yards and one interception.
Odom replaced starter Dexter Williams II, a former Indiana quarterback, who played just two possessions, neither of which produced a first down.
Daniel Kinney made all three of his field goal attempts, including one from 50 yards out, to account for all the scoring for the Conference USA team which is in its second year as an FBS program.
Indiana’s Louis Moore had an interception in the second half in what may be his final game this season because of an eligibility issue.
Indiana’s defense made 14 tackles for a loss, including 2.5 each for Kellan Wyatt and Aiden Fisher.
