Indiana 27, Penn State 24
-
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been superb for the Hoosiers this season after transferring from Cal, and he has emerged as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. While Penn State is having a disappointing season, it still has a lot of NFL talent on its defense. Thus, it would be interesting to see how Mendoza played against the Nittany Lions.
Late in the first quarter, Mendoza found receiver Charlie Becker running wide open on a deep post for a 53-yard completion. To end the drive, Mendoza took off on an 18-yard touchdown run as he scrambled up the middle of the Penn State defense and found a vulnerable middle of the field. Later in the second quarter, Mendoza made a pretty play, scrambling out of the pocket, and then made a sidearm pass to Becker to convert a third down and set up a first-and-goal. Mendoza was without his top receiver and was held in check.
In the fourth quarter, with his team protecting a three-point lead, Mendoza made an uncharacteristic mistake. Mendoza left a clean pocket to scramble to his right. He saw a receiver a little behind two defenders, but must have missed the deep safety that was following his eyes. Mendoza delivered the pass downfield, and the safety jumped the route for an interception. It was an anomaly play with a terrible read and decision from Mendoza. That turnover set up Penn State to take the lead.
Mendoza had one last chance with less than two minutes remaining and made a key conversion. However, he had Omar Cooper running wide open deep down the field for a potential long touchdown, but Mendoza overthrew him, resulting in an incomplete pass. The next play, Mendoza threw a dart for 29 to get inside the 25-yard line and a fade to Becker to get to the eight and set up a first-and-goal. On third-and-goal, Mendoza threw a jump ball to the back of the end zone, and his receiver made an incredible catch to give Indiana a great comeback win. Mendoza finished completing 19-of-30 passes for 218 yards with a touchdown, an interception, and a rushing touchdown.
For the NFL, Mendoza looks like a pro starter. Mendoza has a strong arm, a quick release, and is accurate in passing at all levels of the field. This year, he has shown improvement in his pocket presence, reading coverage, working through progressions, and manipulating the pocket with his feet. He is smart and reads the field well. Mendoza throws accurately with good timing and anticipation. This tape will help Mendoza become a high first-round pick next April.
-
It has been a frustrating season for Penn State running back Nick Singleton. Team sources say the losing streak and firing of James Franklin have put the entire team in a funk. Scouts say a lot of the Penn State prospects looked better on tape last year. Versus Indiana, Singleton showed his 2024 and 2023 form with some clutch plays to help his team grab a fourth-quarter lead.
In the early going, Singleton had a short touchdown run, but he came alive in he final frame. Early in the fourth quarter, Singleton exploded up the middle and finally got loose for a long run with a 60-yard gain. To cap the drive, Singleton powered into the end zone from a few yards out, showing his strength to charge through a blocker and tackler. Later in the fourth, Singleton dodged two tacklers and weaved through the defense for a 19-yard touchdown catch on a screen pass. Singleton ran for 71 yards with 10 carries and two touchdowns. He caught three passes for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Singleton has the skill set to be a backup running back in the NFL with the potential to possibly rise into a starting role. He has a strong frame, is athletic, quick, and has some good instincts. Singleton looks like a mid-round pick that could be a solid backup to start out his pro career.
-
Sources say they have been disappointed in Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton this season. He has a great skill set, but he has not been productive and has been part of the Nittany Lion prospects that seem like they are in a funk. Like Singleton, Dennis-Sutton played better against Indiana.
On the first third down of the game, Dennis-Sutton went unblocked and flew to Mendoza to dish out a hard hit that resulted in a third-down incompletion. Midway through the second quarter, Dennis-Sutton used speed to get upfield, knocked the left tackle off balance, and then cut to the inside to chase down Mendoza for a sack. However, a holding call in the secondary took away the sack from Dennis-Sutton. In the fourth quarter, Dennis-Sutton showed good speed and pursuit skills to chase down Mendoza for a sack.
Dennis Sutton has excellent size, length, strength, and quickness. He can set the edge as a run defender and shows the skill set to beat tackles with speed or power. However, Dennis-Sutton is inconsistent, and his motor is not impressive as he has some quiet stretches. Dennis-Sutton could end up being a day-two pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
-
Indiana linebacker Aidan Fisher is a nice mid-round sleeper. Fisher was a tough run defender for the Hoosiers against Penn State, and he has been all season. In the first half, Fisher was Johnny on the spot and rewarded his team by being around the ball. Fisher dove on a fumble to set up a short field and score for his offense, and he caught a tipped pass for an interception. Fisher is an instinctive defender who is tough, smart, and gritty. He has some limitations in his skill set with a lack of speed and athleticism. However, Fisher could be a good backup linebacker and special teams contributor.
