Limestone Ledger

PASADENA, CA — As teammates filtered out of the team hotel in search of trendy restaurants, nightlife, and something approximating a personality reset before the biggest game of their lives, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza reportedly returned to his room, brewed a cup of herbal tea, and pressed play on Season 4 of ‘Little House on the Prairie.’

According to sources close to the program, the move is not symbolic, ironic, or the result of a lost remote. It is simply how Mendoza prepares.

“He likes the pacing,” said one staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It reminds him that football is a game of patience, discipline, and doing the right thing even when your neighbors are acting out of pocket.”

Mendoza, who is known around the program for not swearing, not drinking, not smoking, and once apologizing to a referee for speaking too loudly, has reportedly watched the series straight through twice this season, with a third rewatch underway as Indiana prepares for the Rose Bowl.

“Coach calls it film,” said one teammate. “We’ve stopped asking questions.”

While some quarterbacks prepare by isolating tendencies, breaking down blitz packages, or blasting music through noise-canceling headphones, Mendoza’s approach is quieter.

Room service records show a modest dinner order of grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, and warm milk followed by a note requesting “extra pillows, but not too many.”

“I don’t need chaos,” Mendoza reportedly told a coach earlier in the week. “If Laura Ingalls can keep it together during a blizzard, I can read a nickel defense.”

Sources say Mendoza finds particular inspiration in Charles Ingalls, whom he has described as “steady in the pocket, emotionally available, and fundamentally sound.”

At first, teammates assumed the ‘Little House’ viewing was a one-off wholesome reset after a long season. That assumption faded when Mendoza began referencing episodes during film sessions.

“He compared a Cover 2 to a prairie winter,” said a wide receiver. “I don’t know what that means, but the ball keeps hitting me right in the hands.”

Another player confirmed Mendoza left a small handwritten note in each locker before departure for Pasadena, wishing teammates luck and reminding them to “do one thing right at a time.”

“It was… unsettling,” the player said. “But also calming.”

Early in the season, staff briefly explored encouraging Mendoza to loosen up and attend a team dinner, maybe watch something more contemporary.

That idea was quickly abandoned.

“Every time he watches that show, his completion percentage goes up,” said one assistant coach. “At this point, we’d build a pioneer village in the locker room if compliance let us.”

When asked whether the team had concerns about Mendoza’s famously boring lifestyle on college football’s biggest stage, the coach paused.

“Look,” he said. “He’s calm. He’s prepared. And he knows exactly what episode he’s on.”

As kickoff approaches, teammates say Mendoza remains exactly the same as soft-spoken, polite, and unfazed by the spectacle surrounding him.

While others post beach photos and sponsorship content, Mendoza has reportedly silenced his phone, drawn the curtains, and queued up the next episode.

“It’s about fundamentals,” Mendoza reportedly said. “Family. Responsibility. And not forcing throws you don’t need to make.”

At press time, Mendoza was seen gently turning down the volume in his hotel room as the theme music played, nodding once, and locked in, unbothered, and ready for Pasadena.