Indiana Football Miracle in Happy Valley: Omar Cooper Jr.’s TD Seals Hoosiers’ Historic First at Penn State

Indiana football delivered a night to remember as the Hoosiers earned their first-ever win at Penn State, defeating the Nittany Lions 27-24 on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The game ended in spectacular fashion with Fernando Mendoza connecting with Omar Cooper Jr. for a toe-tapping touchdown that silenced Beaver Stadium with just 36 seconds left on the clock.

The win marked a historic breakthrough for Indiana, ending decades of frustration in Happy Valley. It was also a signature moment for second-year head coach Curt Cignetti, whose squad improved to double-digit wins for only the second time in program history. The Hoosiers, previously 0-13 at Penn State, finally broke through in front of more than 100,000 stunned fans.

Omar Cooper Jr. and Fernando Mendoza Lead Indiana’s Historic Victory

Omar Cooper Jr.’s remarkable touchdown catch capped off one of the most dramatic finishes in Indiana football history. With Penn State leading 24-20 after a furious comeback in the fourth quarter, Mendoza led a gutsy final drive under immense pressure. The Heisman-contending quarterback found Cooper Jr. in the back of the end zone for the game-winning score, securing Indiana’s first win in Happy Valley.

“It felt amazing,” Cooper Jr. told Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft moments after the game. “We refused to lose.” Head coach Curt Cignetti praised his team’s resilience, saying, “It was a great throw and catch. I’ve seen a lot of football, but never anything quite like this.”

Penn State, now 0-6 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2004, had mounted a spirited comeback behind running back Nicholas Singleton. Singleton scored twice in the fourth quarter — once on the ground and once through the air — but it wasn’t enough to hold off the surging Hoosiers.

Historic First for Indiana Football at Beaver Stadium

Before this win, Indiana football had never beaten Penn State in Beaver Stadium. The Hoosiers entered the game with a 0-13 all-time record in Happy Valley. Saturday’s victory not only changed that but also underscored how far the program has come under Cignetti’s leadership. The team’s 10-win season further cements its status as a legitimate Big Ten contender.

According to the Indiana football record book, the Hoosiers are now 1-13 all-time in games played at Penn State. This was only their third overall victory in the series, with previous wins coming in Bloomington in 2013 and 2020. Saturday’s result, however, carried extra weight — the first time the program triumphed on the Nittany Lions’ home turf.

Reactions and What This Means for the Hoosiers

For Indiana fans, this wasn’t just a win — it was redemption. After years of heartbreak in Happy Valley, the Hoosiers finally reversed the script. The victory also boosts their College Football Playoff hopes, positioning Indiana as a dark-horse contender heading into the final stretch of the season.

Penn State, on the other hand, faces mounting questions about its future. Falling to 0-6 in Big Ten play for the first time in over two decades signals a potential reset ahead. As for Indiana, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum and building on one of the most defining wins in program history.

Indiana football’s miracle in Happy Valley will stand as one of the program’s defining moments — a game that turned heartbreak into history and cemented the Hoosiers’ rise under Curt Cignetti.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who scored the game-winning touchdown for Indiana vs Penn State?

Omar Cooper Jr. made the game-winning catch, connecting with quarterback Fernando Mendoza with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Q2: How many times has Indiana football won at Penn State?

Indiana picked up its first-ever win at Beaver Stadium on November 8, 2025. The Hoosiers are now 1-13 all-time in Happy Valley.

Q3: When was Indiana football’s last win over Penn State before 2025?

The last time Indiana beat Penn State was in 2020, when Michael Penix Jr. led the Hoosiers to a dramatic overtime victory in Bloomington.

Q4: How bad is Penn State’s Big Ten record after this loss?

The Nittany Lions dropped to 0-6 in Big Ten play, marking their worst conference start since 2004.

Q5: What does this win mean for Curt Cignetti’s Indiana program?

It marks a turning point for Indiana, solidifying Cignetti’s leadership and giving the Hoosiers their second-ever 10-win season in school history.