The Catch That Saved a Season: No. 2 Indiana Survives Penn State Scare

Read Time:3 Minute, 35 Second

STATE COLLEGE, PA—In a finish that will be replayed for years, the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers barely escaped their first loss of the season at the hands of a desperate Penn State Nittany Lions team. With the unblemished record—and potential College Football Playoff aspirations—hanging in the balance, a stunning, toe-tapping touchdown catch in the final seconds delivered Indiana a dramatic 27-24 victory at Beaver Stadium.

It was a win of monumental significance for the Hoosiers (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten), not just because it preserved their perfect run, but because it ended a 13-game losing streak in Happy Valley, marking the program’s first-ever win at Penn State.

The Anatomy of a Comeback

The game unfolded in three dramatic acts, showcasing the Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of both teams.

Act I: The Hoosiers Build a Cushion

Indiana looked poised to roll through the struggling Nittany Lions (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) early on. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza led the charge, capping an early scoring drive with an 18-yard rushing touchdown. Despite Penn State responding with a score of their own, led by a Nicholas Singleton plunge, Indiana seized momentum before the half.

A critical turnover—a fumble by Penn State’s Kaytron Allen just before the break—set up a short-yardage touchdown run by Kaelon Black, giving Indiana a comfortable 17-7 lead going into the locker room. That lead grew to 20-7 early in the third quarter after an IU interception led to a field goal.

Act II: The Lion Roars Back

Then, the script flipped. Penn State, playing under an interim coach and riding a six-game losing streak, summoned a fiery intensity. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer found his rhythm, making big completions downfield. The catalyst, however, was running back Nicholas Singleton.

First, Singleton broke free for a 59-yard burst, setting up his own goal-line touchdown run. Then, after an Indiana interception gave Penn State the ball back, Grunkemeyer connected with Singleton for a 19-yard touchdown reception. The crowd of over 100,000 erupted as the Nittany Lions took a shocking 24-20 lead with just over six minutes remaining. The nation’s No. 2 team was on the ropes.

Act III: The Heisman Moment

With the clock dwindling, Indiana’s undefeated season came down to one drive. They took possession at their own 20-yard line with just 1:51 on the clock. Penn State’s defense immediately pressured Mendoza, sacking him on the first play.

But the sophomore QB, who is gaining Heisman buzz, became a maestro in the final moments. He quickly recovered, completing passes of 22, 12, 29, and 17 yards, threading the needle against an aggressive Penn State secondary to move the Hoosiers inside the 10-yard line.

With the game on the line, Mendoza dropped back on third-and-goal. His pass soared toward the back of the end zone, a little high, where wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. elevated. In a moment of sheer brilliance, Cooper adjusted in mid-air, hauled in the pass, and managed to sweep his left foot down inside the boundary before falling out of bounds.

The call on the field was a touchdown. After a nerve-wracking review, the call stood. Indiana led 27-24 with only 36 seconds remaining. A last-ditch Hail Mary attempt from midfield by the Nittany Lions failed, and the Hoosiers had survived.

A Monumental Victory

“It was the most improbable victory I have ever been a part of,” a relieved Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti said after the game. “And there couldn’t have been a better place to make it happen.”

The win elevates Indiana to 10-0 (7-0 Big Ten), equaling their program-best win total from a season ago, with two games still to play. While Mendoza finished with 218 yards and the game-winning touchdown, his final drive will be the defining sequence of the year.

For Penn State, the loss was a heartbreaker, a performance that showed flashes of the team they were supposed to be. Singleton delivered a career day with three total touchdowns, but in the end, the team’s six-game losing streak continued—a painful end to what was nearly one of the biggest upsets of the college football season.