Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has faced plenty of elite quarterbacks in his storied career, but one moment during this year's Big Ten Championship Game told him everything he needed to know about Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.

Early in the contest, Buckeyes edge rusher Caden Curry delivered a thunderous hit that sent Mendoza crashing to the turf. Patricia watched from the sideline, thinking the game might shift in Ohio State's favor. But instead of staying down, Mendoza rose, jogged off for just a single snap, and returned to the field like nothing happened.

"That's when I knew we had a problem," Patricia admitted during an appearance on Good Morning Football.

And he was right. Mendoza proceeded to complete 15 of 23 passes for 222 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, leading the Hoosiers to a stunning 13-10 comeback victory over the Buckeyes. His game-winning touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt in the corner of the endzone late in the third quarter proved to be the final scoring play of the contest.

The performance was just the beginning of a historic run for Mendoza. He went on to win the Heisman Trophy, guided Indiana to victory in the College Football Playoff, and became the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Patricia, who has coached against everyone from Tom Brady to Patrick Mahomes, recently connected with Mendoza at the NFL Combine, where the young quarterback reached out for a conversation.

"Unbelievable guy," Patricia said. "We talked for a little while, just so impressed by him."