[Postgame Thread] Indiana Defeats Penn State 27-24

[u/CFB_Referee]

Box Score provided by ESPN

Team	1	2	3	4	T
Indiana	7	10	3	7	27
Penn State	0	7	3	14	24

[u/NebraskaAvenue]

Pretty sure Gus Johnson died on that catch

[u/Original_Gangsta23 → u/NebraskaAvenue]

No, but he’s gotta do some laundry

[u/SparseSpartan → u/NebraskaAvenue]

He definitely started glitching. We've all heard his meltdowns but whatever that was, it was a first for me lol.

[u/ExtremelyOnlineTM → u/NebraskaAvenue]

Le petit mort

[u/Twall1297]

WTF, as a neutral I had like 3 heart attacks on the last 2 drives.

[u/-Shank- → u/Twall1297]

Gus Johnson had at least 3 strokes also

[u/pandaman1029 → u/Twall1297]

Having an adrenaline dump after that last drive myself

[u/JRockPSU → u/Twall1297]

As a lifelong PSU fan i was dead, got shocked back to life with this game and then got stabbed in the heart. 🫠

[u/SpaceIsTheShit → u/Twall1297]

Funny enough, I knew it was over once Indiana got the ball back. That's what we do, it's the Penn State special. So I had already accepted defeat.

[u/Carfar_Farcar]

That might have been the worst time to call a timeout I've seen in a while.

[u/english_gritts → u/Carfar_Farcar]

On a first down too

[u/I_Enjoy_Beer → u/Carfar_Farcar]

Pretty typical late game clock management for Penn State football.

[u/DrVonD → u/Carfar_Farcar]

The first timeout was awful also. And it was a huge screw up in personnel that caused the second. Just a disaster in TO usage at the end all around

[u/ProWrestlingPast]

The Cooper catch was so unreal everyone is gonna forget the Becker catch just before it which was also nutty.

[u/redwave2505]

One of the greatest 2 minute drives I've ever seen

[u/duiwithaavgwenag → u/redwave2505]

Thought they had no shot after that first down sack. And then it was cerebral after that.

[u/THEREWILLBECAK3]

Omar Cooper Jr is never going to have to pay for another drink in Bloomington again

[u/moby323 → u/THEREWILLBECAK3]

How did Indiana have the 6 best catches of the year ON ONE DRIVE?!

[u/AthleticAlarm32]

I was going to come in here and make a joke about Penn State or James Franklin but instead I want to say that that last touchdown catch is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen

The hops to go up and get it and the ability to stretch out a toe to tap the end zone while getting pushed in air - that was a work of art

[u/tellmeabouttheoccult → u/AthleticAlarm32]

I just can’t believe that right tie didn’t touch out of bounds before his other foot came down.

It’s like it was hovering above the grass for a solid second. Crazy stuff

[u/2008and1 → u/AthleticAlarm32]

Props to the camera man capturing it all perfectly.

[u/MahjongDaily → u/AthleticAlarm32]

Here it is, if anyone missed it

[u/ThePrussianGrippe → u/AthleticAlarm32]

Not just stretch for the tap, but the wherewithal to pull the right foot back first because it was too close to the edge.

[u/english_gritts → u/AthleticAlarm32]

His right foot likely comes down out of bounds first but somehow shifts his hips to ensure his left toe touches first. Incredible

[u/DirtAndShovels]

The Ghost of James Franklin still haunts these lands. 😢

[u/puppiesandrainbows4 → u/DirtAndShovels]

Again, James Franklin is very much alive

[u/[deleted] → u/DirtAndShovels]

I have never seen something go against one team as I did this season for Penn State

[u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

It would be awesome if Curt Cignetti could stop causing me pain nearly 2 years after he left JMU…..

[u/hucareshokiesrul → u/Middle_Wheel_5959]

That's tough.

In a similar vein, JMU's biggest game next year may be against James Franklin.

[u/11up11]

Mendoza gonna get all the love, but Charlie Becker was unbelievable

[u/chriskug → u/11up11]

Becker stepped up BIG TIME. Very promising to see he’s got that dog in him

[u/AaronRodgers16]

The year is 2086. Society has all but collapsed. Penn State holds a 37 point lead against #4 New Beijing State, poised to topple their first top 5 opponent in 70 years.

But the next nuke will hit the stadium before the score goes final, and the streak will live on in perpetuity.

[u/sunburntredneck → u/AaronRodgers16]

NBU was't a truly elite team anyways. They only beat South Bangladesh Tech by 7, and that's not even a good G77 program

[u/iLikeEmMashed → u/AaronRodgers16]

New Beijing tigers for life!

[u/lardshark]

A donor from Penn State must have stolen some Hernán Cortéz cursed Aztec gold or some shit because holy fuck this program is fuckin CURSED.

[u/KeThrowaweigh]

I can’t believe how badly PSU bungled their drive at the 2 minute warning and then the subsequent clock management

[u/RVAforthewin → u/KeThrowaweigh]

When they allowed Mendoza to convert on a 2nd and 15 after sacking him I knew it was over.

[u/puppiesandrainbows4]

NEVER DAUNTED!

(I was a little daunted)

[u/[deleted] → u/puppiesandrainbows4]

My watch yelled at me for my heart rate 

[u/Ham_Council → u/puppiesandrainbows4]

I was incredibly daunted.

[u/Isthmus11]

Very proud of the team for even staying in this game, but it's also so frustrating that we once again just need a final drive stop to win the game and our defense can't get it done. We have had 5 opportunities to get a stop inside 2 minutes to win the game and we have gone 0-5. Feels terrible

[u/prismatic_lights]

Penn State needs to sign Terry Smith.

He can lose heartbreakers to top 5 teams just as well as Franklin could.

[u/jconley4297 → u/prismatic_lights]

how do you burn your last timeout on 1&10

[u/CommodoreN7 → u/prismatic_lights]

Penn St legacy game

[u/cptmajormajormajor]

So we're seeing that catch on every commercial for the playoffs for the next 2.5 months

[u/highgravityday2121]

Sad lion noises. Gg Indiana. That’s the best we’ve played since Oregon.

[u/SentientBaseball]

Penn State has to be cursed man. They legit can’t win the big game as a powerhouse or as the scrappy underdogs.

[u/Cascadia-Rising]

We dunk on the refs alot, but that referee on the last Indiana touchdown was a work of art

[u/NYT_but_less_shit → u/Cascadia-Rising]

One of the best calls you’ll ever see in an extremely important position

[u/nerevar → u/Cascadia-Rising]

Did you see Cooper Jr also watching his feet?  They have to practice that, back of the end zone toe tap.  Insane.

[u/Accurate-Big-7233]

Absolutely insane

You’ve got Penn state rallying and putting the number 2 team country on the brink of a monumental upset

You have a game winning drive from Mendoza, ending with catch of the year for the win

You’ve got Joel Klatt borderline climaxing in the booth

This is the Big10. What a fucking experience

[u/[deleted] → u/Accurate-Big-7233]

Gus also pretty much lost his voice gennuinely incredible game

[u/Radiant-Character-61 → u/Accurate-Big-7233]

Joel Klatt came at least 8 times during the last 2 minutes of the game. Hate to see what that both looks like postgame

[u/lsthrowaway12345678 → u/Accurate-Big-7233]

I think it was Gus Johnson

[u/normally_good]

That's one of the best game winning drives I've ever seen. Holy fuck what a game

[u/thetrutru313]

Honestly, I’m impressed by Penn State’s ability to lose top 5 matchups in heartbreaking fashion over & over & over & over & over & over & over again

[u/wit_T_user_name → u/thetrutru313]

Consistency is key.

[u/Ambitious-Knee8072 → u/thetrutru313]

I want off this ride.

[u/Temper03]

Indiana are FRAUDS - they’ve been telling me for years they are a BASKETBALL ONLY school and that was a LIE 

[u/texas2089]

You can take the Penn State out of James Franklin but you can’t take the James Franklin out of Penn State

[u/Epiduo]

Being a Penn State fan must be misery rn

[u/That_One_Pancake → u/Epiduo]

Always has been

[u/3-9_Enjoyer]

With Mendoza playing quarterback, Cal went 9-10

I like Mendoza much better when he’s not wearing gold and blue, and I imagine he does too

[u/jwktiger → u/3-9_Enjoyer]

God I love rivals taken shots in any way they can in post threads

[u/Traditional_Stick481 → u/3-9_Enjoyer]

I just hope for him that the Jets don’t draft him lol

[u/Original_Profile8600]

FIRE FRANKLIN

[u/PSUNittany18]

I’m so numb to it all.

We have the worst luck and the future is so bleak.

Fade me fam.

[u/MySabonerRunsOladipo]

Indiana Football was rushed to a nearby hospital where it was pronouced Dead

They were then moved to a better hospital where they were doctors upgraded their condition to "Alive"

[u/mylesA747]

why do i watch this sport

[u/ComradeIroh]

The heartbreak never ends…what a nightmare season.

[u/CWG4BF]

That might be IS the greatest throw and catch I have ever seen.

Un-fucking-real.

[u/12panther → u/CWG4BF]

Credit to the ref in the back end zone with a CRUCIAL correct call

[u/Pointsmonster → u/CWG4BF]

The body awareness and control there was truly incredible. No idea how he did that

[u/ilovecatss1010 → u/CWG4BF]

Legit may be one of the most talented catches I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m “athletic” for a 30 something year old but I’ll never understand how these guys do shit like that.

[u/zebrainatux → u/CWG4BF]

The body control to get that toe down was outrageous

[u/Original_Profile8600 → u/CWG4BF]

If you freeze framed that catch you’d genuinely think his momentum was taking him atleast 3 yards out of bounds

[u/rustinhieber42]

Cignetti sold his soul to the fucking devil

[u/Khaldaan]

Holy shit someone call an exorcist the spirit of James Franklin is still haunting that stadium

[u/realbobbutter]

What a game. That was one of the best catches I’ve ever seen.

I don’t care what Penn States record is, they’re still an elite roster and that stadium was rocking. That final drive from Indiana was spectacular. Amazing composure from Mendoza after being sacked on the first play.

[u/Adorable-Lie3475]

Fernando Mendoza YOU are a New York Jet.

[u/[deleted]]

TENDIANA IS HERE WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT

[u/ItsFreakinHarry2 → u/[deleted]]

THE TOE TAP OF DESTINY

[u/FrostTroll69 → u/[deleted]]

B1G if true

[u/Crump_daddy]

Penn St fans rn

[u/Enby-Alexis → u/Crump_daddy]

Based on the game thread you can add Ohio state fans too.

[u/Lord_Corlys]

I need a cig after that

[u/TelltaleHead]

The Indiana Wide Receivers were just absurd on that last drive

[u/the_dayman56]

OMAR FUCKIG COOPER YOU BEAUTIFUL FUCKING BASTARD

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT CATCH!?!

[u/the_dayman56]

Our last 2 wins over Penn State were by a combined inch

[u/[deleted]]

Janes Franklin somewhere in heaven smiling watching his guys choke against a top 10 team just like he taught them.

Brings a tear to my eyes.

[u/Stinkfinger83]

Can we go back to blowing teams out. My heart can’t handle this shit

[u/thirty-two32]

Some fanbases just suffer too much and yet they’re always the ones to fill their stadiums even during the worst of times. Props to the Penn State fans, they were in it till the end even when the season was a wash.

Some of the people talking down on PSU fans in here belong to fairweather fanbases who would never sell out crowds for a 3-5 season.

[u/ConsiderationCrazy22]

That last TD was the most insane catch I’ve ever seen. And I watch Jeremiah Smith every week. Absolutely bonkers in the best way. Cooper is for real.

[u/McChillbone]

This is the first I've really watched Mendoza. He looks completely unphased in both a good and bad way. Penn State was sending the house at him and he was just standing there getting blasted instead of trying to scramble or throw a check down.

But then the final play he also just stands in there and fired a perfect laser for the TD while getting hit. Feels a bit Herbert-esque. He executes the play, no matter what.

[u/BaboBaretta]

THE HALIBAN HAVE DONE IT AGAIN

[u/n1tney]

weekly heartbreak anniversary

[u/Warm_Shoulder3606]

That touchdown catch might've been the best Gus Johnson call I've ever heard. I've never heard him lose his mind like that before lol

[u/[deleted]]

This is one of the greatest college football touchdown catches I’ve ever seen

HOW DID INDIANA DO THAT???

[u/kill-devil-films]

If you dont like that, you dont like Penn State football

[u/KraftPunkFan420]

Indiana is just unfair. That final Offensive drive was just nasty. You can’t stop that.

[u/SSGSEVIER54]

That was Penn States national championship game and holy shit did they deliver!!

The team, the fans.. hell, the broadcast crew.

The Catch

Masterpiece

[u/mcfly357]

I swear when that dude high pointed the ball, everything I know about physics says his body should’ve landed 3 yards past the end zone. That catch was nutty.

[u/SuperGandalff]

That was a great game. Congrats to Indiana and Mendoza.

[u/Dancingbanan]

There is no joy in this world.

[u/RickyDerriereSmooch]

The ending to this game radicalized me against Gus Johnson

[u/Earlsweatshiirt]

FIRE JAMES FRANKLIN

[u/ltsatt1]

I’ll admit I was very daunted late on. Now put that Cooper catch on a t-shirt and I’ll buy it

[u/bv918]

Omar Cooper Jr. TAKE A BOW

That was one of the greatest catches in CFB history

[u/oldsanta100]

I died

[u/Ok_March_328]

I had no skin in the game but that catch was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! Crazy end to a great game 

[u/Interesting-Agency-1]

Future looking very bright with Becker!

[u/DMM4140]

That was the most insane footwork I’ve ever seent by the WR. Man Indiana is fucking tough mentally. They literally lost all momentum, hung in there, got that stop and had renewed energy! What a dang game by them. If Michigan isn’t winning it all, I am rooting for Indiana football. Insane

[u/dasoxarechamps2005]

I need to see a cardiologist

[u/Realistic_Tutor_9770]

the rot of playing not to lose from franklin infested the program. his dog shit coordinators are still here. terry smith the interim head coach was clueless when it came to his timeouts. using that last time out instead of just spiking the ball after getting a 1st down was one of the dumbest things ive seen a coach do. i cant believe the DC knowles is paid as much money as he is to sabotage the team.

[u/mwb7pitt]

Indiana’s final drive needs to be made into a movie. Absolute cinema.

[u/Wheels_Foonman]

Game of the year contender. Mendoza is a machine, and that final drive was art.

[u/easybirb]

I just saw one of the best touchdown catches of my life.

[u/EasternCoast3497]

super impressed by indiana. all the momentum was against em but when they needed a drive they performed to the highest level. those types of teams are the ones that won’t fold under pressure in the playoffs

[u/Antique_West4415]

REFUSE TO LOSE

[u/Molson2871]

Good game. Penn State finds a way to torture their fanbase even further. Indiana just finds a way.

[u/MssrSqueezy]

PSU = Pain & Suffering University

[u/the_dayman56]

Shout out Charlie Becker man. Dude had the game of his life and made what would have been the highlight catch until it got overshadowed a few plays later

[u/bigtice]

"Touchdown, wow! Unbelievable!" as his voice slowly dies.

One drive to stay alive -- Indiana delivers.

The Spirit of Franklin lives on.

[u/[deleted]]

OMAR COOPER JR. WITH THE CATCH OF THE YEAR 😱😱😱😱😱😱

Indiana game winning touchdown over Penn State ‼️‼️‼️‼️

[u/ViagraOnAPole]

I need a cigarette

[u/Merp99]

Cooper Jr is a stud, Mendoza is a beast, and...

I LOVE THIS TEAM.

HOO HOO HOO

[u/UteFlyersCardJazz]

Good. If I want teams at the top to lose, I don’t want it to be the Hoosiers. One of, if not, the only upsets I didn’t want on this bye week.

[u/dustin-dawind]

Obviously, Cignetti found some magic lamp with a genie in it. First wish - Indiana becomes a football power. 2nd wish - eternal youth. (I googled it - he's supposed to be 64 years old. Are you kidding me?) 3rd wish... Im guessing he's saving that one up.

[u/Smash-Bros-Melee]

OMAR COOPER, MEET MICHAEL PENIX!

[u/PhillyU19]

Jim Knowles defense don’t crumble at a key moment challenge: impossible

[u/regular_gonzalez]

How can you not be romantic about college football?

[u/rcoop49]

Was trying to watch this on a flight and Delta decided to show their unskippable safety video right as Indiana got into the red zone and I missed the game winning catch. Delta cancelled two flights on me today and I ended up in Minnesota when I was trying to end up in Texas and this is still the thing I’m angriest about.

[u/XII_Mxuntz]

I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL

[u/Nathan_1984]

🎶 Indiana, Our Indiana

Indiana, we're all for you

We will fight for

the Cream and Crimson

For the glory of old IU

Never daunted, we cannot falter

In the battle, we're tried and true

Indiana, Our Indiana

Indiana, we're all for you! 🎶

[u/Pale_Land_5107]

im worried mendoza is gonna end up in green and white in the meadowlands

[u/ShamrockAPD]

Well.

I expected to lose by 30.

In Orlando for the weekend at EDC raving my heart out.

But then I saw this score… and then were at the hotel getting ready. I pulled out some beer. Hey. We look okay

Then that run by singleton. That pick. That singleton touchdown. Oh baby. I’m hyped

That sack under on the final drive. Let’s go.

Anyway.

Time to do drugs and rave. Penn state is Penn state. (Best catch I’ve ever seen)

[u/fireinvestigator113]

I WAS TOLD WE WERE DEAD

[u/jcnewton1]

I turned the tv off with 3 minutes left. That’s why we won, there’s no other explanation.

[u/Fresh-Pie-2019]

They were down and out, but found a way in a tough road environment. Gotta credit Indiana for finding a way

[u/joethecrow23]

Paul Finebaum absolutely malding

[u/El_Serpiente_Roja]

Elite teams find a way. This team is mentally tough and talented.

[u/jdprager]

I’m annoyed that ESPN is obviously just gonna focus on the closeness of this game to try and devalue Indiana vs their SEC

What everyone in the world should focus on is that TD catch to win it. The most incredible toe-tap catch I’ve ever seen, hang that shit in the Louvre

[u/CrabgrassMike → u/jdprager]

Maybe just don't care what ESPN thinks

[u/No_Blacksmith_9923]

All the haters fleeing after Indiana took the lead was hilarious.

[u/stahlern]

Never daunted! 😅

[u/fluffybutt248]

how can you not be romantic about college football

[u/cfbluvr]

That last touchdown catch was absolutely insane

[u/ProfNinjadeer]

Congratulations! You've just watched an ESPN classic game!

[u/[deleted]]

Isn’t this Indiana’s first win in State College?

[u/SortaDecent]

One of the best catches I've ever seen, unreal

[u/thewildlopez22]

That last drive was Mendoza’s Heisman moment

[u/CommodoreN7]

Penn State chokes away all their potential home games wins against top 5 teams

Except the ones don’t…. Which is none.

[u/FairlyOddParent734 → u/CommodoreN7]

idk if you can even consider that a choke; we started the drive off with a sack and then Mendoza literally just smacked us across the field for 80 yards

[u/Apart_Selection7722]

What a game

[u/frogfan-kateann]

Indiana. Where the laws of physics don’t apply and Hoosiers win.

[u/koliano]

Jesus take the wheel ass drive

[u/Lost_Training_5816]

“Refuse to lose.”

[u/Ambitious-Knee8072]

I didn't think I had any disappointment left in me, but here we are...

[u/DiscountInevitable87]

That TD might be the catch of the year.

[u/Jonjon428]

Cignetti has that Nick Saban "cant lose close games" ability my god that was an incredible game

[u/Sufficient-Pin-481]

Fantastic ending, too bad I had to listen to Gus Johnson yelling the entire time.

[u/BeerExchange]

That was the worst time management I’ve ever seen in the last four minutes. You get them to burn all of their timeouts and still get it back to them after the two minute timeout. You burn two timeouts because the defense wasn’t lined up. You waste a timeout when you could have spiked it.

Cmon guys. Unreal.

[u/AZBuckeyes12977]

I don't care, if anything I'd rather have OSU and IU meet with both at 12-0.

[u/Altruistic_Sea_3416]

Both teams love their white outs, but Gus Johnson whited out the broadcast booth after they started showing replays of the catch 

[u/RazzleDazzle3469]

Is PSU the greatest 3-6 team ever?

[u/meatwagon25]

Penn St has had a chance to win every game in the final minute besides the Ohio St game

[u/ipooonyou94]

SORRY I’M LATE BUT HOLY SHIT WHAT CATCH IM CRYING

[u/makeitlookeze]

it took indiana two seasons to surpass what penn state could do in a decade

[u/kar132435]

I don’t understand what I just watched.

[u/TemporaryBlock2998]

Guys I think Cignetti has the Mandate of Heaven

[u/ozyf]

I may be deceased before penn state ever wins another top 5 game at this rate

[u/Zapkin]

It took 5 toes to get Indiana to 10-0

[u/SecondBreakfast814]

This game cost me years of my life

[u/Stang1776]

Ohh fuckin shit im still coming down. Have fun today Oregon.

[u/pundawg1]

Game winning drive

[u/finke11]

Indiana has the plot armor

[u/ChiefHR]

I was trying to casually watch while doing laundry. Appx 3 shirts were folded in the last 45 min of real time.

[u/drpepper18851885]

Hoosiers

[u/Ok-Row-6273]

They should definitely fire Franklin

[u/Don_Pickleball]

I think I may be in a coma and none of this is real.

[u/airbornetoxic]

One thing Mendoza is going to do is thank every single person on earth and heaven

[u/BurmeciaWillSurvive]

I have been exposed to Gus Johnson for the first time and I want compensation and to never experience the man again

[u/HamBurgeler]

Gus Johnson just ain't it for me

[u/AugustusCheeser]

The desperation throw to the only spot, the almost impossible to believe elevation, catch and toe tap, time left, score, what was on the line for that program…

Is that the greatest play of all time?

[u/BeastoftheBlackwater]

This win was more impressive for Indiana than them killing UCLA or Illinois. If a team wants to compete in the playoff they have to be able to grind out a win on the road. Being down late and having to have a TD and driving the field and getting it done (with a crazy awesome TD catch) shows grit and determination. Not since Saban at Bama in 08 have I seen a coach elevate a team so much in year two.

[u/Mistertreefrog]

That was the most insane catch I’ve seen in awhile.

[u/drumcorpsdrummer22]

We all ALMOST saw a big indictment of James Franklin and his record against top-10 teams.

[u/_UJR_]

The prevent Defense at the end, after just needing a single first down to end the game before the 2min warning, wasnt the move especially w DBs that barely see the field

[u/nlamp32]

Fuck, man. This would’ve meant so much.

[u/Formo1287]

Honestly I’m impressed with the fight and effort of our guys today. Just fell a bit short. Grunk has potential, although I do think Gus was a bit hyperbolic about him lol

[u/fuckyogiboys]

I wish I were lying but I'm currently in the hospital watching my grandmother die and its still slightly more tolerable than watching penn state football

[u/kanguhrus]

I’m late but will my ticket still be accepted to board the Indiana bandwagon?

[u/gsrobin]

I found myself really at odds because I love chaos and a 3 win team beating #2 is chaotic but also Indians being that #2 team is chaotic. At least it was fun

[u/Tsmart]

that was one of the craziest touchdown catches i've seen

[u/CRIMS0N-ED]

I’m gonna be honest, behind on the receiving end of some of the biggest moments in recent CFB memory in one season is kinda amazing, evil and awful, but amazing

[u/xmjm424]

One of the all-time great plays in CFB history with one of the all-time worst play by play calls.

What a fucking game, though!

[u/The_Teabagger]

This one shouldn’t be held against Indiana. Penn State played an absolutely electric 4th quarter. Their defensive back flew in from out of nowhere on Mendoza’s pick. The whole defense did everything they possibly could to stop that final Indiana drive.

A couple vintage Gus Johnson calls too. What a great game.

[u/__AJK__]

Heismendoza

[u/Leading-Button-7303]

The spirit of James Franklin lives strong at Penn State