Iowa Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Northwestern in Week 10
By Brad Schultz
3. Cooper DeJean finds the end-zone
With Iowa trailing 12-10 against Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium, it looked like Cooper DeJean had done the unthinkable. The junior defensive back eluded all 11 Gopher defenders and returned a 54-yard punt to house, which likely would have clinched the game for the Hawkeyes. However, referee Tim O’Dey ruled that DeJean had made an invalid fair catch signal with his left hand, thus negating the touchdown and giving Minnesota their first win over Iowa since 2014.
Despite the play not counting on the scoreboard, it was definitely one of the top plays of the college football season so far.
Obviously, the loss deeply affected Hawkeye fans, players, and coaches, but especially DeJean, who was almost on the verge of tears in his post-game press conference.
Expect DeJean to come out with his hair on fire this weekend against Northwestern and turn his frustration and anger into an important play for Iowa. Whether he scores on a punt return or a pick-six is unknown, but I have no doubt the Odebolt, Iowa, native will find his way into the end-zone yet again.