INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza survived an injury scare on the opening play of the Big Ten Title game .

The No. 2 Hoosiers' (12-0) quarterback took a hit right to the chest by Ohio State defensive end Caden Curry, a Center Grove alum, and had to come out of the game for a play. The crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium went silent as Mendoza laid on the ground.

Mendoza, who completed the 9-yard throw to Elijah Sarratt before getting laid out, was replaced by his brother, Alberto Mendoza, for a single snap.

Indiana was forced to punt after its opening possession stalled after the offense crossed midfield. Fernando Mendoza took a third-down sack.

( This story will be updated .)

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You

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