College Football Fans Roast Refs After Phantom Fair Catch Decides Minnesota-Iowa

Iowa returned a punt for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but a fair catch call that no one saw brought it back.

Saturday's Big Ten showdown between Minnesota and No. 24 Iowa ended in dramatic fashion.

The Hawkeyes were set to receive a punt with just over a minute left to play trailing 12-10.

Defensive back Cooper DeJean fielded the punt, and after spinning along the sideline, returned it all the way to the end zone for what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown.

Unfortunately for DeJean and Iowa fans around the country, the score was called back after review. According to the referee, DeJean's waving of his left arm while directing his teammates before the catch constituted a fair catch, cancelling out his monumental play.

Across social media, fans were confused and outraged with the game-changing decision from the referee.

The referees can’t distinguish a fair catch from pointing to the football.

That’s all-time awful.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) October 21, 2023

As Minnesota’s punt bounces, Cooper DeJean monitors to his teammates to stay clear.

The refs deem it a fair catch signal.

DeJean’s second game-winning punt return TD of the season is called back.

A game and season-changing call. pic.twitter.com/1dW7xdqplm

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) October 21, 2023

That’s one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen against Iowa, wasn’t even close to a fair catch signal, the fact they reviewed it and came to that conclusion is even worse, those refs deserved to have shit thrown at them.

— BeatinTheBookie.com®️ (@BeatinTheBookie) October 21, 2023

Minnesota should be too ashamed to accept that victory

— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) October 21, 2023

oh my god they said he called a fair catch

— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) October 21, 2023

That is an absolutely ridiculous call in the Iowa game
No way that is calling for a fair catch

— Big Game Bengal (@BengalYouTube) October 21, 2023

Someone please give me definition of fair catch!

— Josey Jewell (@josey_jewell) October 21, 2023

In no universe is this a fair catch

pic.twitter.com/ZHfvTU0XWd

— Nicholas Baer (@Nicholas_Baer) October 21, 2023

It wasn't called on the field but somehow you can review 'invalid fair catch' signals? Hands never went above his shoulders; did his job to the letter of the rule. That is the most busch league call I've ever seen on a game changing play https://t.co/fk5ySkaQn7

— Hawkeye Gamefilm (@hawkeyegamefilm) October 21, 2023

Iowa did get the ball at the spot where the fair catch was ruled and still had a chance to drive for a game-winning score, but an interception by the Golden Gophers defense ended their comeback effort once and for all.

It was the first time Minnesota had defeated Iowa since 2014, and the first time the Gophers had won the rivalry game on the road since 1999.