But then it collapsed. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza made one spectacular play after another and the Hoosiers ripped Penn State’s heart out, winning the game on a beautiful throw by Mendoza to Omar Cooper Jr. The air was sucked out of Beaver Stadium.

No. 2 Indiana scores with 36 seconds remaining to avoid its first loss of the season and beat Penn State 27-24.

STATE COLLEGE | After video replay confirmed Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr.’s touchdown catch, Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith was fuming and leaned into the officiating crew. It was the most anger and frustration Smith has shown on the sideline in his four weeks on the job.

Fernando Mendoza is back in the driver's seat on the road to the Heisman Trophy. The Indiana quarterback delivered a game-winning drive for the ages in the Hoosiers' electric 27-24 win at Penn State and in turn climbed back into betting favorite status in the award race.

Penn State hasn't beaten a top-10 Big Ten opponent since 2016 when it topped Ohio State, as ESPN noted in a story about Franklin's poor record in big games contributing to his firing. So yeah, James Franklin is no longer with Penn State, but that didn't spare him from being the butt of many jokes after the Hoosiers held on for the win.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Indiana Hoosiers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions NCAAF game from November 8, 2025 on ESPN.

Penn State showed fight vs. Indiana. But the Nittany Lions' failed upset bid was another gut-punch in a brutal season.

From defending Gavin McKenna to the overall dominant sweep over Penn State, Adam Nightingale talked all things Spartans hockey on Saturday night