Fernando Mendoza’s Brother Reveals Biggest Difference Between Curt Cignetti’s Indiana and Georgia Tech: “A Lot More…”
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Alberto Mendoza spent last season learning from the best seat possible at Indiana. He watched his older brother Fernando run Curt Cignetti’s offense all the way to a national championship. Alberto played when the Hoosiers had the game under control, getting enough snaps to flash without ever having to carry the offense for four quarters. That changes at Georgia Tech.
“Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, football is a copycat league, so everyone takes a little bit from everyone,” Mendoza explained the difference between offenses at IU and Georgia Tech during his August 18 presser. “But it is a different offense. I would say there’s a lot more on the quarterback’s plate here than there was at Indiana. And it’s great because all it’s doing is prepping me for the next step, and I think it’s putting me in a great position for that.”
Georgia Tech’s offense is loaded with more formations, personnel groupings, and checks than what he dealt with at Indiana. QB coach Chris Weinke said the Yellow Jackets could use 12- to 15-personnel groupings and roughly 20- to 25-personnel formations, with shifts and motions pushing the playbook to more than 250 possible calls. That puts plenty on Mendoza before the ball is even snapped.
“We’ve got more volume in our offense than I would say anybody in the country,” Weinke said on August 18. “With all that being said, there’s a burden on the quarterback, right?”
Offensive coordinator George Godsey has spent much of his career in the NFL, including three seasons as Houston’s OC and QBs coach. Weinke also has NFL coaching experience, including time with the Rams. Georgia Tech put two coaches with professional backgrounds around Mendoza and handed him an offense that demands more decision-making. AndAlberto knows it well.
“I’ve really enjoyed learning from Coach Godsey and Coach Weinke,” Mendoza said. “All those guys have a lot of accolades and have been there, seen that, and done all those things. So, it’s been awesome.”
Also, for the former IU backup QB, the contrast with 2025 is stark. In Indiana, Mendoza was Fernando’s backup. He appeared in nine games and completed 18 of 24 passes for 286 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. He also ran for 190 yards and another touchdown on just 13 carries. However, most of those snaps came with Indiana already in control.
Mendoza has spent the summer learning the system, communicating with teammates, and making the checks that come with being the quarterback. Godsey said earlier this month that Mendoza had “been putting the time in” and praised his understanding of coverages and his ability to recognize what defenses are showing. That’s not all, though.
Alberto also has another QB to call when something in the system looks familiar.
His brother Fernando is learning Klint Kubiak’s offense with the Raiders, and the two have been comparing protections and concepts. That gives Alberto another set of eyes. But the responsibility on the field is now his.
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