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The No. 2 ranked Indiana Hoosiers escaped Penn State with a 27-24 victory Saturday thanks to a Fernando Mendoza strike to Omar Cooper Jr. in the final seconds of the game.
Cooper made the catch and an incredible kick for the touchdown with 36 seconds left. The dream season the Hoosiers were putting together remained alive as Indiana improved to 10-0 on the season and 7-0 against Big Ten Conference opponents.
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Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. celebrates a victory over Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 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 improbable victory I’ve ever been a part of,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. “And there couldn’t have been a better place to do it.”
Penn State came back from being down 13 in the third quarter and was a few first downs away from pulling off an improbable upset. Penn State took a 24-20 lead on a Nicholas Singleton touchdown run.
The Hoosiers silenced the 107,000 people gathered in State College, Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions owned a 25-2 record in head-to-head contests. Penn State had won all previous clashes that took place on its home field.
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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 roaring crowd, when you hear that silence when you get hit when you throw, then you know it’s a completion,” 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 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 underdog Nittany Lions fell to 3-6 on the year and 0-6 against their Big Ten opponents.
Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer looks for success against Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer finished 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.
