College football: Indiana survives Penn State with dramatic comeback win
Will Indiana and Oregon win their Big Ten matchups?
Joel Klatt previewed the Indiana Hoosiers and Penn State Nittany Lions. He explained how the Hoosiers are dealing with injuries to WR Elijah Sarratt and LB Aiden Fisher and questioned whether that would affect their playoff chances.
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Penn State was on the verge of a blowout upset against No. 2 Indiana, but Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. had other ideas.
Indiana survived Penn State, winning 27-24 at Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon, thanks to a 10-play, 73-yard drive by Mendoza.
The Nittany Lions took a 24-20 lead with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter and there was no timeout for Indiana. On the first play of the drive, Mendoza was sacked by linebacker Zane Durant for a seven-yard loss.
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Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. throws a touchdown pass over Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley in the fourth quarter on Saturday in State College, Pa. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)
The Indiana quarterback brought his team back to the line of scrimmage and completed a 22-yard pass to Cooper, netting the sack and gaining a first down. Mendoza spiked the ball to stop the clock.
On the post-dunk play, Mendoza hit EJ Williams Jr. He connected with 12-yarder 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, moving to the Penn State 7-yard line. With 45 seconds left, Indiana gave themselves a chance to win the game.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks to throw a pass against Penn State on Saturday in State College, Pennsylvania. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)
Mendoza appeared to complete the comeback with a second loss. The Hoosiers’ quarterback connected with Becker in the end zone for a touchdown, but the referees overturned the play because Penn State called a timeout at the last second. The Nittany Lions forced an incomplete pass on second down to take a third down after the timeout.
On third-and-goal, with the Hoosiers’ unbeaten record on the line, Mendoza and Cooper saved the day.
Mendoza, who was about to be run over by oncoming runners, took a throw and threw a high pass to Cooper. The wide receiver skied to make the catch and acrobatically landed his toe into the end zone to complete not only an incredible touchdown, but also the return.
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (center) celebrates a touchdown with teammates in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)
Penn State got the ball back, trailing 27-24 with 35 seconds and a timeout, but was unable to get into shooting range and the Hail Mary attempt failed.
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Mendoza threw for 218 yards and a touchdown with an interception in the win. Cooper had six catches for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Indiana improved to 10-0 with the win and will continue to advance next week against Wisconsin (2-6). Penn State drops to 3-6 with the loss and will look to bounce back next week against Michigan State (3-6).
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