Cooper DeJean refutes calling for a fair catch during game-changing play
Cooper DeJean insists he did not call for a fair catch at the end of the Minnesota-Iowa game. The talented returner appeared to have made a game-winning play, but the play was waived off after it was claimed DeJean called for a fair catch.
Hawkeye fans were incensed and resorted to throwing debris on the field after the controversial call. DeJean’s Iowa Hawkeyes would end up losing 12-10 after the TD was wiped off the board.
After the game, DeJean spoke with reporters and insisted he did not call a fair catch.
“I never call for a fair catch with my left hand. Ever,” declared DeJean.
“I was trying to keep my balance I guess, trying to get to the ball,” explained DeJean. “It’s frustrating, but, gotta move on.”
Cooper DeJean said he did not call for a fair catch pic.twitter.com/7eOz360beN
— Blake Hornstein (@BlakeHornTV) October 21, 2023
NBC Sports’ rules analyst broke down the play during the broadcast, noting DeJean’s signal was an invalid fair catch signal. Per that analyst, the play was correctly ruled dead after the review.
DeJean collected 2 tackles on the day and nearly had the biggest play of the game with his return. Instead, the Hawkeyes received a tough break and fell at the hands of the Golden Gophers.
Fortunately for the Hawkeyes, the remaining schedule is hardly a murderer’s row. The Hawkeyes will take on Northwestern, Rutgers, Illinois, and Nebraska.