How a receiver’s miracle grab became Fernando Mendoza’s defining Heisman moment

The Indiana Hoosiers played in what is probably going to go down as one of the most insane games in program history on Saturday against Penn State. The Hoosiers were in jeopardy of seeing their undefeated record in shambles until Fernando Mendoza led the team on an amazing game-winning drive that ended with probably one of the best catches not just this season, but in college football history.

For those who have been living under a rock for the last three days. The Hoosiers were down by four going into what would end up being their final drive with under two minutes left in the game and no timeouts. Mendoza was sacked to start the drive, but then some amazing throws later had Indiana in the red zone with a goal-to-go situation.

On 3rd and goal, Mendoza faced pressure again and had to let the ball go high to the back of the end zone, and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. went up and caught the ball. Cooper didn't just catch the ball; he caught it, had enough body control to move the ball, looked down to see where his feet were, kept his left foot up in the air, and tapped his right foot just in bounds for the touchdown catch.

Omar Cooper Jr.'s circus catch somehow turned into Fernando Mendoza's moment

This is where the Heisman Trophy race truly is built for quarterbacks and quarterbacks alone. Mendoza was amazing on that final drive for Indiana and has been great for the Hoosiers all season long. However, on that game-winning touchdown, Cooper did all the legwork, literally, to make sure that was a touchdown.

Mendoza made a good throw away from the defender on the read, but Cooper had the body control and mind power to come down in bounds for the score to count. However, while Cooper is being praised for the catch, this is being looked at as more of Mendoza's moment simply because Cooper's name is not as big.

Indiana was without their star wide receiver, Elijah Sarratt, on Saturday, so the wide receiver core had to step up, and Cooper was one of them. Cooper had six receptions for 36 yards and the biggest touchdown of the game. Looking at his season stats, he had 52 receptions for 701 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Those stats are really amazing nationally as Cooper is 50th in yards per game with 70.1, 26th in receptions with 52, 29th in total yards with 701, and seventh in touchdowns with nine.

While Fernando has certainly done a lot for Indiana to be at the front of the Heisman race, voters are clearly missing out on looking at players like Cooper, who may not be a quarterback or as big a name, but could also seriously deserve the award. Cooper made the catch of the year, if not the best catch in college football history and deserves the recognition.