Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza has his Heisman second.
On Saturday, Faculty Soccer Playoff No. 2 Indiana (10-0, 7-0 in Massive Ten) survived a fourth-quarter collapse in opposition to upset-minded Penn State (3-6, 0-6 in Massive Ten), 27-24, needing heroics from Mendoza on a late two-minute drive after blowing a 20-7 lead. The win not solely inched the Hoosiers nearer to a first-round playoff bye however might have solidified Mendoza because the chief on this yr’s Heisman race.
Recreation-winning drive versus Penn State is Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman second
When Indiana wanted Mendoza essentially the most, he delivered, going 5-of-8 for 87 yards and the successful landing with 36 seconds left on the Hoosiers’ remaining possession. His efficiency down the stretch made up for an earlier miscue within the quarter when an interception arrange Penn State’s go-ahead landing.
Mendoza did not have flashy numbers total, ending the sport 19-of-30 for 218 yards, one landing and one interception. However that makes his successful drive much more spectacular. Mendoza was nowhere close to his greatest in opposition to the Nittany Lions, but he nonetheless managed to do sufficient the win.
He was aided by some absurd catches, together with sophomore broad receiver Charlie Becker’s 17-yarder that set Indiana up with a 1st-and-goal at Penn State’s 7-yard line and junior wideout Omar Cooper Jr.’s ridiculous toe-tapping seize in the back of the top zone for the late lead.
