New Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles caught a stray from an elite college football player on national TV
New Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles caught a stray during Heisman Trophy weekend.
Recently hired Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles caught a stray on national TV from one of college football’s best players over the weekend.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza was named this year’s Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday night in New York.
One of Mendoza’s most memorable moments in 2025 came in Indiana’s narrow road win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in November.
With the Hoosiers trailing by four points and just 36 seconds left in the game, Mendoza connected with wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. on third down for a go-ahead touchdown. It was easily one of the best plays of the season.
Fernando Mendoza references Jim Knowles while reliving Indiana’s win against Penn State
Knowles, who was hired last week by Tennessee to replace Tim Banks, served as Penn State’s defensive coordinator in 2025.
During an appearance on ESPN on Friday, Mendoza referenced Knowles calling a Cover Zero blitz on three consecutive plays on Indiana’s final drive in the 27-24 win over Penn State.
“Once we have the ball rolling, we couldn’t stop,” said Mendoza. “Coach Knowles and the whole Penn State squad, they are phenomenal players. There will be a lot of future NFL players (from Penn State). They called Cover Zero three times in a row — bringing the heat, bringing the pressure, all out blitz.
“We knew their hand. They knew that we needed to get in the end zone. And on third down, I was able to get great protection and able to essentially throw an alley oop to Omar Cooper Jr., who did a dunk. And somehow, [he] also magically got one foot down and levitated the other [foot]. What I believe was the best drive so far in college football in this season, and the best catch so far in this college football season.”
There’s no doubt that Mendoza has a lot of respect for Knowles. But on that drive, Mendoza won the battle.
In Knowles’ defense, though, Penn State kept Indiana’s offense in check for most of the game. The Nittany Lions totaled four sacks, eight tackles for loss, and four passes defensed against the Hoosiers.
But with the game on the line, Mendoza made one of the biggest plays of his career.
If Mendoza’s pass had been six inches higher, it’s fourth down, and the Nittany Lions get another chance to win the game. Sometimes, however, you just gotta tip your cap, and that’s all Knowles could do after that ridiculous play.
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