Will Indiana and Oregon win Big Ten matchups?
Joel Klatt previewed the Indiana Hoosiers and Penn State Nittany Lions. He explained how the Hoosiers are battling injuries with WR Elijah Surrat and LB Aiden Fisher and questioned whether that would affect their playoff chances. Joel broke…
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Penn State was on the verge of a massive upset of No. 2 Indiana, but Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. had other ideas.
Indiana outlasted Penn State to win 27-24 Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium thanks to an incredible 10-play, 73-yard drive that Mendoza authored.
The Nittany Lions were up 24-20 with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter and Indiana had no timeouts. On the first play of the drive, Mendoza was sacked by defensive end Zane Durant for a loss of seven yards.
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Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. catches a touchdown pass over Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley during the fourth quarter, Saturday, in State College, Pa. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)
The Indiana quarterback rallied his team back to the line of scrimmage and completed a 22-yard pass to Cooper to nullify the sack and gain a first down. Mendoza spiked the ball to stop the clock.
On the ensuing play after the tip, Mendoza connected with EJ Williams Jr. for 12 yards and another first down. Two plays later, Mendoza hit Riley Nowakowski for a 29-yard gain to move into Penn State territory.
Mendoza then connected with Charlie Becker for another 17 yards to move to the Penn State 7-yard line. With 45 seconds left, Indiana gave itself a chance to win the game.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks to suit up against Penn State on Saturday in State College, Pa. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)
Mendoza appeared to complete the comeback at second. The Hoosiers’ quarterback connected with Becker on a slant in the end zone for a touchdown, but the officials called the play dead because Penn State called a last-second timeout. The Nittany Lions forced an incomplete pass on second down to force third down after the timeout.
On third and goal, with the Hoosiers’ undefeated record on the line, Mendoza and Cooper saved the day.
Mendoza, who was being clobbered by oncoming rushers, stepped into a throw and delivered a high pass to Cooper. The wide receiver skied after the catch and acrobatically got his toe down in the end zone to complete not only an incredible touchdown, but also the comeback.
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., center, celebrates his touchdown catch with teammates, Saturday, in State College, Pa. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)
Penn State got the ball back with 35 seconds and one timeout, down 27-24, but couldn’t get into field goal range and their Hail Mary attempt fell short.
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Mendoza threw for 218 yards and one touchdown with one interception in the win. Cooper had six catches for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Indiana improved to 10-0 with the win and will look to keep it rolling against Wisconsin (2-6) next week. Penn State fell to 3-6 with the loss and will look to rally against Michigan State (3-6) next week.
