Two years ago, [Fernando Mendoza](https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/fernando-mendoza/) quarterbacked California in blue and gold. Last season, Mendoza made history at Indiana in crimson and cream.
Now that he’s a Las Vegas Raider, Mendoza wears silver and black. Regardless of the color scheme, the 2025 Heisman winner is a playmaker and on Thursday, the rookie saw his first live NFL action against Arizona in a preseason opener.
And of course, he threw a touchdown pass.
Mendoza isn’t slated to start right away for the Raiders. That job belongs to veteran and first-year Vegas QB Kirk Cousins. Mendoza’s first training camp has been rocky, par for the course for all NFL rookies, particularly those under center.
But Mendoza has earned praise from first-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak for his progress. On Thursday, playing with Las Vegas’ second team, Mendoza completed 10-of-16 passes for 97 yards over about two quarters of action, including a 6-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 14. He also rushed twice for six yards.
Mendoza’s scoring arial also ended a bit of a Heisman-related statistical drought. No NFL rookie drafted first overall had thrown a TD pass in his exhibition opener since fellow Heisman winner and then-Cleveland Brown [Baker Mayfield](https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/baker-mayfield/) did so in 2018. So there’s that.
Kubiak praised Mendoza after the game, telling media: “I thought he led a good scoring drive as far as getting in and out of the huddle and commanding the group and getting the play calls down. I saw the same guy that we’ve seen in practice. I see an ascending player.”
Mendoza also completed 3-of-4 passes on third down, two going for first downs. He almost threw a second TD pass in the fourth quarter, just missing on a connection.
The game also served as a reunion for two 2025 Heisman finalists. Third-place Heisman finisher Jeremiyah Love, selected two spots behind Mendoza by Arizona in the 2026 NFL Draft, rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries and also caught three passes.
Mendoza and the Raiders have two remaining exhibition games, playing at Houston on Aug. 20 while hosting San Francisco on Aug. 27.