Texans’ DeMeco Ryans, Houston could care less about Fernando Mendoza’s Indiana accolades

Fernando Mendoza could solve the world’s problems, and Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans still wouldn’t sound too impressed by the Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback’s resume. Following the Texans’ 22-20 loss to Mendoza and the Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

Ryans was asked if his stop unit got a little more motivation to step up because the team was facing former Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Playoff national champion Mendoza. Ryans’ answer was as short as it was apathetic.

“No,” the 42-year-old Ryans responded (h/t DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN).

The Texans raced to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and were ahead, 20-3, at the half. But the Raiders slowly and surely carved up the deficit and won the game after a go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Aidan O’Connell.

Utlimately, the Texans surrendered 400 total yards to Las Vegas and 22 first downs. Where Houston’s defense had success was against the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as the Texans held  Mendoza to just 86 passing yards on 8-of-15 completions. Texans’ fourth-round linebacker Wade Woodaz made the defensive highlight of the game when he picked off Mendoza in the first quarter and took it to the house.

With their loss to the Raiders, the Texans are guaranteed to finish the preseason with a losing record. They lost to the Los Angeles Chargers at home in Week 1, 27-7.

In their preseason finale, the Texans will look to salvage a win when they take on the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Aug. 28.

The post Texans’ DeMeco Ryans, Houston could care less about Fernando Mendoza’s Indiana accolades appeared first on ClutchPoints.