Indiana football found itself in dire straits for the first time this season, down four with just over two minutes to play in Happy Valley.
After limping across the finish line of the first half with a short
touchdown drive set up by the defense, Indiana’s offense appeared dead in the water against Penn State in the second half.
The defense stood strong on Penn State’s first drive of the half, intercepting a tipped pass from Ethan Grunkemeyer to set the offense up with a chance to take a commanding 24-17 lead. Instead of converting for the touchdown, Fernando Mendoza and company were held to a field goal, keeping the door open for a Penn State team desperate for a win.
The next three Hoosier offensive drives resulted in two punts and an interception from Mendoza, his third in the last three games. When the Nittany Lions turned that pick into a touchdown that gave Penn State its first lead of the game at 24-10, Indiana looked set to suffer its first loss of the season.
Bryant Haines’ defense, which had been solid all game, came up with one last stop with just over two minutes to play, but it cost Indiana all of its timeouts. There was nothing to that point in the game that indicated that Indiana would be able to capitalize on the opportunity, but it was a chance nonetheless.
With a Big Ten Championship berth, his Heisman chances, and Indiana’s College Football Playoff seeding on the line, Mendoza delivered the drive of the season, capped by an unbelievable catch from Omar Cooper Jr.
The defense kept Penn State out of field goal range on the final drive, then defended the Hail Mary attempt on the last play, and left Happy Valley 10-0. Penn State, meanwhile, has now lost six straight.
