Taste of Mexico, Cuba at Rose Bowl for Fernando Mendoza, Josh Cuevas
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Xavier Andrade,
- December 30, 2025
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Alabama’s Josh Cuevas share favorite Mexican, Cuban dishes
LOS ANGELES – Enchiladas, sopes and jamon croquetas are in. Menudo and molé are out. Beyond the aspiration of a Rose Bowl victory for Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Josh Cuevas lies a shared pride in the foods their heritage has given them.
Mendoza’s Cuban background has instilled in him a love for the classic ham croqueta.
“As far as Cuban food goes, I would say it’s more comfort food,” said Mendoza, a Cuban American from Miami. “I always go good with a good croqueta. It’s like a little snack,jamon croqueta. It’s the best.”
The Heisman Trophy winner’s appreciation of Latino cuisine doesn’t end there. One of Mendoza’s aunts married into a Mexican family, so he has also developed a taste for Mexican cuisine.
Enchiladas for Fernando Mendoza
“I would say as far as Mexican food goes, I love enchiladas,” he said. “They are so good. They are just my favorite in that sense.”
Mendoza will lead No. 1 Indiana against Cuevas and No. 9 Alabama on Thursday night at the Rose Bowl in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
Cuevas’ family hails from the Mexican states of Jalisco and Durango. Along with a passion for mariachi music and a fine Tequila, Cuevas carries his own love for the Mexican dishes that he grew up savoring.
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Even though the tight end admits he steers away from molé and menudo, he appreciates albondigas (meatballs) and other Mexican staples.
“Some finger foods like sopes, tacos or something like that, give it to me all day,” Cuevas says.
As Mendoza and Cuevas bring their cultural flavors to the 2026 Rose Bowl, the matchup will serve as a celebration of Latino heritage for those in the stands and those watching at home.
“The Rose Bowl is a magical place,” Mendoza said. “To be able to play in this atmosphere in the Rose Bowl, it’s just a special moment for myself, for my family and to be able to play in front of a Hispanic and Latino crowd.
“It’s what I do. I want to inspire young Latino kids, and I always want to represent my culture to the highest. That’s something I’m looking forward to doing on Thursday night.”
Xavier Andrade
Xavier Andrade, who played football at Luther College, graduated with degrees in Communications and Political Science. He previously worked in editorial and social media for Hola Cultura, a Latino publication in Washington, D.C. Andrade currently coaches football at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Calif.
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