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Indiana at Penn State — November 8, 2025

date
2025-11-08

Final: Indiana 27, Penn State 24 Venue: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA Stakes: Big Ten title race. Indiana went on to win the national championship.

What Happened

Fernando Mendoza led an 80-yard drive with 36 seconds left. Omar Cooper Jr. made a spectacular back-of-the-end-zone catch for the winning touchdown. Gus Johnson's call — "Mendoza in trouble. It's out. Give him the Heisman!" — became a defining moment of the season.

Key Plays / Moments

  • Mendoza's 80-yard drive under pressure, 36 seconds to work with
  • Omar Cooper Jr.'s game-winning catch at the back of the end zone
  • Gus Johnson "Give him the Heisman!" call

Aftermath / Significance

One of several losses in the stretch that ended James Franklin's tenure at Penn State. On the show, Dan framed this as "Indiana excellence more than Penn State heartbreak" — re-rated from Semi-Wiggum because Penn State had already lost five straight by then. Indiana went on to win the national title.

Episodes That Discussed This Game