Photo via CBS Sports

Josh Hoover gets his Fernando Mendoza moment as Indiana escapes Nebraska's upset bid

Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover delivered a clutch performance reminiscent of former Hoosiers star Fernando Mendoza, rallying his team from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to secure a 20-17 victory over Nebraska. Despite battling challenging wind conditions at Memorial Stadium, Hoover overcame a statistically rough outing—completing just 12 of 22 passes—to guide Indiana to a hard-fought win.

The Huskers, who outgained the Hoosiers in total plays (83 to 44), nearly pulled off an upset but struggled to convert their offensive dominance into points until late in the game. Nebraska’s Anthony Colandrea extended their lead with a 39-yard touchdown run, but Indiana’s late-game resilience ultimately proved decisive in a game that tested both teams’ ability to perform under pressure.

Hoover’s heroics provided a strong answer to lingering questions about whether he could replicate Mendoza’s clutch performances, a trait that defined Indiana’s undefeated national championship season last year.

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