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The No. 2-ranked Indiana Hoosiers escaped Penn State with a 27-24 victory on Saturday thanks to a strike from Fernando Mendoza to Omar Cooper Jr. in the closing seconds of the game.
Cooper made the catch and an incredible toe-tap for the touchdown with 36 seconds left in the game. The dream season that the Hoosiers were putting together stayed alive as Indiana moved to 10-0 on the season and 7-0 against Big Ten Conference opponents.
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Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) celebrates a win over Penn State following an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
The touchdown pass drew excitement from college football fans on social media.
"It was the most improbable victory I have 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 came back from down 13 points 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 touchdown catch from Nicholas Singleton.
The Hoosiers quieted the 107,000 strong in State College, Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions owned a 25-2 record in head-to-head battles. Penn State had won all the previous matchups that took place on their home field.
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Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) catches a touchdown pass over Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, 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, 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 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 (17) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was 22-of-31 with 219 passing yards, a touchdown pass and an interception. Singleton led the team with 71 yards on 10 carries and two scores.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
