AP All-Big Ten: Indiana's Cignetti repeats as coach of year; Hoosiers and Buckeyes dominate 1st team

Indiana and Ohio State dominated The Associated Press All-Big Ten honors announced Tuesday, with the Hoosiers' Curt Cignetti repeating as coach of the year, quarterback Fernando Mendoza taking two individual awards and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin each receiving one.

The Big Ten champion Hoosiers and Ohio State, the top two seeds in the College Football Playoff, combined to put 14 players on the 27-man first team.

Mendoza was named the conference's offensive player of the year and top first-year transfer, Downs was defensive player of the year and Sayin the freshman of the year.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson and Downs were unanimous first-team selections by the voting panel of 24 media members who cover the Big Ten.

Repeat first-team picks were Downs, Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, Iowa all-purpose player Kaden Wetjen, and Indiana teammates Aiden Fisher at linebacker and D'Angelo Ponds at cornerback.

Ohio State had eight players on the first team, all but two on defense, and Indiana had six.

The 64-year-old Cignetti continues to amaze two years after he took over an Indiana program that had the most losses in major-college football history. He led Indiana to a 13-0 record, the program's first Big Ten title since 1967 and to its first No. 1 ranking in the AP poll. This was after his improbable first season that saw the Hoosiers go 11-2 and make the CFP for the first time.

Mendoza, who joined the Hoosiers after two years at California, has completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards and leads the nation with 33 touchdown passes. He has thrown just six interceptions.

Downs, a finalist for four national awards, helps anchor a dominant defense that has allowed fewer than 100 points this season. Downs' 60 tackles are tied for third on the team, and he has five for loss and a sack to go with a team-leading two interceptions.

Sayin, who played in four games last season to preserve his redshirt status, leads the nation with a 78.4% completion rate in his first year as a starter. He's thrown for 3,329 yards and 31 touchdowns against just six interceptions.

Wide receivers — Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, sophomore 6-3, 223, Miami Gardens, Florida; Makai Lemon, Southern California, junior, 5-11, 195, Los Angeles; Carnell Tate, Ohio State, junior, 6-3, 195, Chicago.

Tackles — Carter Smith, Indiana, junior, 6-5, 313, Powell, Ohio; J.C. Davis, Illinois, senior, 6-5, 335, Oakland, California.

Guards — Beau Stephens, Iowa, senior, 6-5, 315, Blue Springs, Missouri; Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon, senior, 6-5, 318, Denver.

Center — Logan Jones, Iowa, senior, 6-3, 302, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Tight end — Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon, junior, 6-3, 245, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Quarterback — Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, junior, 6-5, 225, Miami.

Running backs — Emmett Johnson, Nebraska, junior, 5-11, 200, Minneapolis. Kaytron Allen, Penn State, senior, 5-11, 219, Norfolk, Virginia.

Kicker — Nico Radicic, Indiana, sophomore, 5-11, 187, Coppell, Texas.

All-purpose — Kaden Wetjen, Iowa, senior, 5-9, 196, Williamsburg, Iowa.

Edge rushers — Caden Curry, Ohio State, senior, 6-3, 260, Greenwood, Indiana; Derrick Moore, Michigan, senior, 6-3, 260, Baltimore.

Interior linemen — Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, junior, 6-3, 326, Suwanee, Georgia; Tyrique Tucker, Indiana, junior, 6-0, 302, Norfolk, Virginia.

Linebackers — Sonny Syles, Ohio State, senior, 6-5, 243, Pickerington, Ohio; Arvell Reese, Ohio State, junior, 6-4, 243, Cleveland; Aiden Fisher, Indiana, senior, 6-1, 231, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Cornerbacks — D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana, junior, 5-9, 173, Miami; Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State, senior, 6-2, 195, Union, New Jersey.

Safeties — Caleb Downs, Ohio State, junior, 6-0, 205, Hoschton, Georgia; Dillon Thieneman, Oregon, junior, 6-0, 205, Westfield, Indiana.

Defensive back — Bishop Fitzgerald, Southern California, senior, 5-11, 205, Woodbridge, Virginia.

Punter — Ryan Eckley, Michigan State, junior, 6-2, 207, Lithia, Florida.

Wide receivers — Elijah Sarratt, Indiana, 6-2, 213, Stafford, Virginia; Omari Cooper Jr., Indiana, junior, 6-0, 204, Indianapolis; KJ Duff, Rutgers, sophomore, 6-6, 225, Riverhead, New York.

Tackles — Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern, senior, 6-7, 325, Livonia, Michigan; Gennings Dunker, Iowa, senior, 6-5, 315, Lena, Illinois.

Guards — Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State, junior, 6-4, 323, Graham, Washington; Luke Montgomery, Ohio State, 6-5, 312, Findlay, Ohio.

Center — Pat Coogan, Indiana, senior, 6-5, 311, Palos Heights, Illinois.

Tight end — Max Klare, Ohio State, junior, 6-5, 243, Guilford, Indiana.

Quarterback — Julian Sayin, Ohio State, redshirt freshman, 6-1, 208, Carlsbad, California.

Running backs — Bo Jackson, Ohio State, freshman, 6-0, 217, Cleveland; Jordan Marshall, Michigan, sophomore, 5-11, 216, Cincinnati.

Kicker — Sean O'Haire, Maryland, freshman, 6-2, 188, Kildare, Ireland.

All-purpose — Hank Beatty, Illinois, senior, 5-11, 185, Rochester, Illinois.

Edge rushers — Gabe Jacas, Illinois, senior, 6-3, 270, Port St. Lucie, Florida; Anthony Smith, Minnesota, sophomore, 6-6, 285, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Interior linemen — Bear Alexander, Oregon, junior, 6-3, 302, Terrell, Texas; Aaron Graves, Iowa, senior, 6-5, 295, Dayton, Iowa.

Linebackers — Bryce Boettcher, Oregon, senior, 6-2, 232, Eugene, Oregon; Rolijah Hardy, Indiana, sophomore, 5-11, 229, Lakeland, Florida; Jimmy Rolder, Michigan, senior, 6-2, 240, Orland Park, Illinois.

Cornerbacks — Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon, freshman, 6-2, 203, Owings Mills, Maryland; Zeke Berry, Michigan, senior, 5-11, 196, Pittsburg, California.

Safeties —Louis Moore, Indiana, senior, 5-11, 200, Mesquite, Texas; Jalen Huskey, Maryland, senior, 6-2, 201, Frederick, Maryland.

Defensive back — Koi Perich, Minnesota, junior, 6-1, 200, Esko, Minnesota.

Punter — Bryce McFerson, Maryland, junior, 6-2, 191, Indian Trail, North Carolina.

Coach of the year — Curt Cignetti, Indiana.

Offensive player of the year — Fernando Mendoza, Indiana.

Defensive player of the year — Caleb Downs, Ohio State.

Freshman of the year (redshirt freshmen eligible) — Julian Sayin, Ohio State.

First-year transfer of the year — Fernando Mendoza, Indiana.

Bob Asmussen, Champaign (Illinois) News-Gazette; Nicole Auerbach, NBC Sports; Colten Bartholomew, Madison.com (Wisconsin); Bill Bender, The Sporting News; Frank Bodani, York (Pennsylvania) Daily Record; Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News; James Crepea, The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon; Scott Dochterman, The Athletic; Brian Fonseca, NJ Advance Media/The Star-Ledger; George Gerbo, Washington Times; Andy Greder, St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press; Brenna Greene, KOIN-TV, Portland, Oregon; Amie Just, Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal Star; Ian Kress, WLNS, Lansing, Michigan; Johnny McGonigal, PennLive; Sam McKewon, Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald; Stephen Means, Cleveland.com; Luke Mullin, Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal Star; Dave Preston, WTOP (Washington, D.C.); Haley Sawyer, Orange County (California) Register; Dylan Sinn, Fort Wayne (Indiana) Journal Gazette; Louie Vaccher, On3.com; Darren Wolfson, KSTP-TV, St. Paul, Minnesota; Andy Yamashita, Seattle Times.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

FILE - Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs plays against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

CANTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 11, 2025--

The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, an independent charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’, today announced it plans to award more than 500 grants totaling over $10 million to nonprofit organizations across the country by the end of the year. These grants help advance the Foundation’s mission to provide the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251211694580/en/

The funding will be distributed through the Foundation’s Community Impact Grants and Signature Impact Programs which support efforts to help combat childhood hunger and create joyful experiences for pediatric patients and their families.

"Our goal is simple: ensure that every grant we award creates a meaningful and lasting impact for children in the communities we serve,” said Mollie Collum, Director of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. “The scale of this year’s giving reflects both the growing need and the extraordinary commitment of the entire Dunkin’ system.”

This year’s distribution is made possible largely through the generosity of Dunkin’ franchisees and local communities. Funds were raised through annual initiatives including Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day, which generated $2 million in just one day; the Dunkin' x BARK dog toy partnership (available at participating Dunkin’ locations nationwide and online at bark.co/dunkin), and additional in-store giving programs that invited guests to support the Foundation’s mission.

Since launching in 2006, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $70 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country, helping bring joy to millions of children during some of their most challenging times.

About the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation

The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin' and the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children's hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $70 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country. For more information, visit www.bringjoy.com.

About Dunkin’

Dunkin', founded in 1950, is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States, with more than 14,000 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets. Dunkin’ is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit DunkinDonuts.com and InspireBrands.com.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington receives a $25,000 grant at the Fillmore School in Georgetown from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. Funds will provide healthy after-school snacks and meals to club members.

Second Harvest Heartland receives a $15,000 Community Impact Grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to support local hunger-relief efforts. Pictured: Annie Thurston Moore (Second Harvest Heartland) with Legacy Concepts franchisees, Dunkin’ and Inspire Brands team members.