In a two-minute scenario with no timeouts, Indiana relied on Heisman candidate Fernando Mendoza to ship probably the most clutch drive of his collegiate profession throughout Saturday’s 27-24 victory at Penn State.
The Hoosiers’ hurry-up in entrance of 100,000-plus at Beaver Stadium culminated with Mendoza’s 7-yard toss to Omar Cooper Jr. behind the top zone, who dazzled regardless of strong protection and got here down with the soccer together with his left toe inbounds to push Indiana forward.
“It was probably the most unbelievable victory I have been aside of and there could not have been a greater place to make it occur,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti mentioned after the sport, noting Indiana’s first win in program historical past at Penn State.
The Nittany Lions had the unbeaten Hoosiers on the ropes following Nick Singleton’s second landing of the fourth quarter to provide Penn State a 24-20 lead after Indiana had as soon as held a 13-point benefit.
No. 2 Indiana survives upset bid from Penn State due to insane Omar Cooper Jr. landing catch
Robby Kalland
Sacked on the primary snap of the ultimate drive, Mendoza picked himself off the turf and moved the chains with a completion to Cooper for a 22-yard acquire to get the possession going for the Hoosiers.
“We refused to lose within the bleakest, most dire moments when it seemed inconceivable,” Cignetti mentioned. “Barely a minute to go and have not gotten something offensively in fairly awhile, quarterback taking plenty of pictures and to all of the sudden begin making performs like we made, unbelievable performs.
“To attain on the finish like that … it is a recreation of inches, it actually is. This workforce refused to lose and I am happy with this soccer workforce.”
Intercepted on a earlier fourth-quarter cross try that gave Penn State a change-of-possession at Indiana’s 44-yard line and led to a landing, Mendoza shook off the error and confirmed pinpoint accuracy within the ultimate moments.
“The very best factor I can say is we refused to lose,” Cignetti mentioned. “We had that one final massive run left in us. I assure you when Fernando obtained sacked on first down, how many individuals on this room counted us out? Proper? Nice drive.”
What’s subsequent for Indiana
Cignetti’s now 21-2 at Indiana and pushed this season’s document to 10-0 after debuting behind Ohio State in Tuesday evening’s first Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings. With a win over Wisconsin subsequent week, the Hoosiers lock of their first Huge Ten Championship Recreation look in program historical past.
Indiana reached the playoff for the primary time final fall, however fell flat at Notre Dame within the first spherical, who ultimately reached the nationwide championship. This time round, attending to Indianapolis possible cements an opening-round bye for the Hoosiers, who would play within the Orange Bowl because the No. 3 seed behind the Buckeyes and projected SEC champion until they’re in a position to topple Ohio State.
Indiana’s power of schedule ranks on the backside of the groups at present inside the choice committee’s high 4 and getting into Saturday’s win at Penn State, had the simplest slate remaining amongst playoff contenders primarily based on the mixed data of remaining opponents.
Indiana had no Energy 4 opponents in its nonconference slate this season, whereas Ohio State performed Texas, Alabama misplaced to Florida State and Texas A&M beat Notre Dame.
“Yeah, the schedule is the schedule,” choice committee chair Mack Rhoades mentioned earlier this week. “We do not discuss scheduling philosophy and the way any workforce scheduled. We simply checked out hey, that is who they’ve on the schedule. That is the result of these video games. Then the entire metrics at our disposal.”
