Nov 8, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Indiana football's first-ever win at Penn State is going to be one remembered for quite some time.

In what was trending toward their first loss of the season after a fourth-quarter collapse, the second-ranked Hoosiers carved out a 27-24 win over the Nittany Lions on Saturday, Nov. 8 for the program's first-ever win in Happy Valley.

The heroes in the Hoosiers' thriller were Fernando Mendoza and Omar Cooper Jr., as the Heisman Trophy candidate connected with his wide receiver for a toe-tapping, game-winning touchdown in the back of the end zone with 36 seconds remaining.

"It felt amazing," Cooper Jr. told Fox Sports' Jenny Taft after the game on making the game-winning catch.

The Nittany Lions, who remain winless against Power Four opponents this season, had made things interesting in the fourth quarter before Mendoza found Cooper Jr. in the end zone. Trailing 20-10 at the start of the final period, Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton scored a 1-yard touchdown after a 59-yard carry to make it a one-score game. Then King Mack intercepted Mendoza to set up Singleton's eventual 15-yard touchdown reception catch seven plays later, a touchdown that gave Penn State a 24-20 lead.

The win for the Hoosiers also dropped the Nittany Lions to 0-6 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2004. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers' win marked the second season in Indiana football history with at least 10 wins — another impressive feat for second-year coach Curt Cignetti.

Here's a deeper look at Indiana football's history against Penn State in Happy Valley, including a look at the all-time series history between the two Big Ten programs:

How many wins does Indiana football have at Penn State?

Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 8, picked up its first-ever win against Penn State at Beaver Stadium in program history. The Hoosiers entered Saturday's game with a 0-13 record in their previous 13 trips to Happy Valley.

"Refused to lose. ... It was a great throw and catch. You know what, this was an unbelievable win. I've seen a lot of stuff in my day, I've never seen anything quite like this," Cignetti told Taft in a separate interview after the win.

Indiana football record at Beaver Stadium

With its win over Penn State, Indiana is now 1-13 in its 14 trips to Beaver Stadium, according to Indiana football's record book.

Indiana football record vs Penn State

  • Series leader: Penn State 25-3
  • Indiana's last win: 20225 (27-24)
  • Penn State's last win: 2023 (33-24)

Following Indiana's win in Happy Valley on Saturday, the Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 25-3 against the Hoosiers, according to Indiana football's record book. Indiana's prior two wins over Penn State came in 2013, when the Hoosiers beat the Nittany Lions 44-24 in Bloomington, and in 2020, when Michael Penix Jr. led the Hoosiers to an overtime win also in Bloomington.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana football wins at Penn State, Hoosiers' first-ever victory in Happy Valley

Reporting by John Leuzzi, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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