On Tuesday, College Football fans were wondering whether or not the College Football Playoff committee would rank the Indiana Hoosiers as the best team in America, as they've dominated their opponents. Despite being ranked 2nd, Indiana entered the weekend with the expectation of dominating a Penn State team that fired James Franklin earlier this season, while they've fallen to 3-5 and 0-5 in league play.
When Indiana took a 20-7 lead over Penn State in the 3rd quarter, it looked like the Hoosiers were going to add another win while Penn State was going to stumble once more. From that point on, Penn State's defense took over keeping Indiana from scoring again while forcing a key interception.
The Penn State offense did its part, kicking a field goal, while Nicholas Singleton scored a pair of touchdowns to officially put Indiana on upset alert. Indiana was able to get the ball back with one last chance to win the game after the two-minute timeout setting up for high drama.
When Fernando Mendoza was sacked on the first play of the drive, it looked like Penn State was going to hang on to win this game. Mendoza then turned into the player many think will win the Heisman and become the First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft.
Mendoza found Omar Cooper to pick up 22 yards, followed by a 12-yard pass to EJ Williams Jr, a 29-yard strike to Riley Nowakowski, and a jump ball to Charlie Becker, putting Indiana in the Red Zone. On 3rd and Goal, Fernando Mendoza found his star Omar Cooper Jr in the back of the endzone for an incredible touchdown to retake the lead.
OMAR COOPER UNREAL CATCH FOR THE TD 😱🤯
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025
WHAT A GAME. WHAT A CATCH. @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/PhHzKjuVB9
Fernando Mendoza's heroics save Indiana's season
In a game where Fernando Mendoza didn't have his A-Game, he overcame it all and drove his team down the field in what may end up being his Heisman Trophy moment. The Hoosiers have hopes of winning the Big Ten and winning a National Championship, and this win keeps every goal in their control.
The Hoosiers avoid a potential shocking upset now and move to 10-0 on the season and 7-0 in Big Ten play. As teams around the Big Ten continue to fall, Indiana is in a great place to face Ohio State in the Conference Championship Game. This game was the perfect wake-up call for Indiana, and escaping with a win keeps the Hoosiers in a great place to earn a 1st round bye.