Indiana Surges to Victory with Omar Cooper Jr.’s Stunning TD
UPDATE: In a thrilling finish, the Indiana Hoosiers clinched a 27-24 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 8, 2025, thanks to an incredible touchdown catch by Omar Cooper Jr. with just 36 seconds remaining. This game not only keeps Indiana’s undefeated streak alive at 10-0 but also marks their impressive 7-0 record against Big Ten Conference opponents.
As time dwindled, Fernando Mendoza delivered a precise strike to Cooper, who executed an astonishing toe-tap catch in a hostile environment in State College, Pennsylvania. The victory sent college football fans into a frenzy on social media, celebrating the Hoosiers’ resilience amidst injuries to key players like Elijah Surrat and Aiden Fisher.
“We’ve faced so much adversity, and to pull this off in such a dramatic fashion is incredible,” said Indiana coach Curt Cignetti. “It was the most improbable victory I have ever been a part of, and there couldn’t have been a better place to make it happen.”
The Nittany Lions, who rallied from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter to briefly take the lead at 24-20, were left stunned. After a touchdown catch from Nicholas Singleton, they seemed poised for an upset. However, the Hoosiers silenced the crowd of 107,000 fans in attendance, a crowd that had witnessed Penn State’s dominance with a 25-2 record in past matchups at home.
Mendoza finished the game with 218 yards, going 19-of-30 with a touchdown pass and an interception, while also rushing for a touchdown. The Hoosiers’ ground game was led by Roman Hemby, who gained 55 yards on 12 carries. Cooper added to his stats with six catches totaling 32 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
The defeat marked another setback for Penn State, who fell to 3-6 overall and 0-6 against Big Ten opponents this season. Their quarterback, Ethan Grunkemeyer, completed 22-of-31 passes for 219 yards, including a touchdown and an interception, while Singleton led the rushing attack with 71 yards and two scores.
This game not only cements Indiana’s place in the national college football landscape but also raises questions about Penn State’s future in the season. As the Hoosiers continue their pursuit of a playoff spot, all eyes will be on them in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates on this developing story and the implications for both teams moving forward.
