NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The No. 2-ranked Indiana Hoosiers escaped Penn State with a 27-24 win on Saturday thanks to a strikeout from Fernando Mendoza to Omar Cooper Jr. in the final seconds of the match.
Cooper made the catch and incredible toe tap for the touchdown with 36 seconds left in the game. The dream season the Hoosiers put together stayed alive as Indiana moved to 10-0 on the season and 7-0 against Big Ten Conference opponents.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. celebrates a win over Penn State on Saturday, November 8, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
The touchdown pass sparked excitement among college football fans on social media.
“It was the most unlikely win I’ve ever been a part of,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. “And there couldn’t have been a better place to make it happen.”
Penn State rallied from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter and was a few first downs away from pulling off an improbable upset. Penn State took a 24-20 lead after a Nicholas Singleton touchdown catch.
The Hoosiers silenced the 107,000 strong crowd in State College, Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions owned a 25-2 record in head-to-head games. Penn State had won all of the previous matchups that took place on their home court.
DEION SANDERS’ COLORADO BUFFALO ELIMINATED FROM THE BOWL THIS SEASON
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. catches a touchdown pass over Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
“It’s just a rocking crowd, when you hear that silence, when you get hit, when you throw, you know it’s an end,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza was 19-of-30 with 218 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception. He also had a rushing touchdown. Roman Hemby led Indiana in rushing with 55 yards on 12 carries. Kaelon Black also had a touchdown.
Charlie Becker led the Hoosiers with seven catches for 118 yards. Cooper had six catches for 32 yards and a touchdown.
The downtrodden Nittany Lions fell to 3-6 on the year and 0-6 against Big Ten opponents.
Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer looks to pass against Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was 22-of-31 with 219 passing yards, one touchdown pass and one interception. Singleton led the team with 71 yards on 10 carries and two scores.
