#2 Indiana beats Penn State 27-24

Jeff Hauser

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No. 2 Indiana survives Penn State in Happy Valley 27-24 image

No. 2 Indiana survived a major scare, needing a last-minute touchdown to beat Penn State, 27-24, in Happy Valley. 

Fernando Mendoza threw for 218 yards and orchestrated a gritty final drive capped off by an incredible 7-yard throw to Omar Cooper Jr. With 36 second left. The play was arguably one of the best of the year.

Mendoza's only touchdown in the game, but was also the most important to keep the Hoosiers' perfect season intact. 

Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for 219 yards and a touchdown as Penn State gave Indiana all they had left. 

Curt Cignetti's team took a 17-7 halftime lead before being held to a field goal in the first 17 minutes of the second half. The Nittany Lions, under interim coach Terry Smith, was the more efficient team and overcame early turnovers to take the Hoosiers down to the wire. 

With the win, Indiana will likely stay put in next week's College Football Playoff rankings. However, nobody knows at this point if style points will come into play. This definitely shores up the Big Ten race a bit as well. 

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News Correspondent