Sometimes it’s hard to determine the greatest reception of a college football weekend. After all, there are eye-popping, miraculous, super-human grabs in almost every game. But, recognizing the top catch this week was an easy choice, one that may end up as the most important regular season reception on the way to the College Football Playoff.
Indiana traveled to Happy Valley to face Penn State.
The Hoosiers, one of the nation’s most surprising, undefeated teams, was ranked No. 2, a near-lock for the championship playoff. The Nitany Lions, earlier in the season ranked No. 2, were one of college football’s most disappointing teams, riding its longest losing streak in 21 seasons.
But with under two minutes left to play, Indiana had the ball at its own 20-yard line, trailing, 24-20, time running out to avoid its first loss. Four pass completions later, quarterback Fernando Mendoza had driven his team near the Penn State goal and 36 seconds remained in the game.
It was time for Omar Cooper, Jr. The Hoosier wide receiver leaped in the back of the end zone for the catch, carefully sweeping his foot barely inside the field of play, pulling in Mendoza’s throw for the winning points. That reception has been chosen as the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish “Catch of the Week.”
For the game, Cooper hauled in six receptions for 32 yards, including the winning catch. Mendoza completed 19 of 30 passes for 218 yards with one touchdown. He also ran for another 20 yards and scored a touchdown.
Remember … for the tailgate tent or the pre-game party, U. S. Farm-Raised Catfish is always “the winning catch.”
The Catfish Institute, or TCI, was formed in 1986 by catfish farmers and feed manufacturers to raise consumer awareness of the positive qualities of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. Since its formation, U.S. per capita consumption has more than doubled.
U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is a sustainable and environmentally friendly seafood product. The National Audubon Society, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Environmental Defense all recommend U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish as a safe environmental choice. To find out more, visit www.uscatfish.com.