Gophers win in Iowa for first time since 1999 as controversial call wipes out late Hawkeyes TD
The Minnesota Golden Gophers won their first game at Iowa since 1999 on the back of a stunning defensive performance – and a controversial late call from the referees at Kinnick Stadium.
With less than two minutes on the clock, the Gophers punted to midfield and the Hawkeyes' Cooper DeJean returned the kick for a touchdown, sending the crowd into raptures.
But the referees deemed that DeJean had waved for a fair catch before collecting the ball, wiping out the touchdown, handing the unfancied Gophers a 12-10 victory over the 6-1 Hawkeyes.
COOPER DEJEAN! IOWA HAS GONE MAX IOWA AND GETS A PUNT RETURN TD TO LEAD 16-12!!! pic.twitter.com/sAq9NdBa0u
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) October 21, 2023
Returning from a two-week break since the 52-10 humbling by Michigan, a much-improved second-half performance saw them gradually overhaul the Hawkeyes, with the defense proving immovable as Iowa frantically tried to strike back.
What was expected to be a low scoring affair proved to be the case, with both offenses struggling to generate big plays. The Gophers' passing offense was nonexistent in the first half, when Athan Kaliakmanis threw for just eight yards – albeit with a number of dropped catches contributing to this miserly total.
But the Gophers defense was just as stingy, limiting Iowa at every opportunity as the two teams engaged in a war of attrition in the late October sunlight.
After the teams traded field goals, the Gophers had a chance to take the lead in the second quarter when the defense managed to strip quarterback Deacon Hill in Iowa territory. But the Gophers went three-and-out, with Dragan Kesich then missing the field goal attempt.
When Iowa did eventually find the end zone a short time later, it followed a drive aided heavily by the Gophers, who – having averaged three penalties a game until Saturday – committed four on the Hawkeyes' march down the field.
This prompted Fleck to describe his team's effort on the drive as being "as undisciplined as we've ever been." Entering the game, the Gophers had been averaging three fouls per game.
Things improved for the Gophers' pass offense in the third quarter, although it lacked the killer blow. Kaliakmanis led the team down the field for a field goal to cut the deficit to 10-9,
The Gophers took the lead early in the fourth quarter, with Iowa going three-and-out before Kaliakmanis found Daniel Jackson for a 39-yard reception – the Gophers' longest of the season.
Longest pass of the #Gophers season! Athan Kaliakmanis to Daniel Jackson for 39 yards!!! pic.twitter.com/mIFJi7wyhh
— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) October 21, 2023
They were unable to advance much closer to the end zone, but Kesich kicked his fourth field goal to put the maroon and gold 12-10 ahead.
Iowa tried to hit back, benefiting from a questionable catch call on 3rd-and-10 to keep a drive going, but being forced to punt on the next set of downs as the Gophers defense held firm.
With less than two minutes remaining, Fleck surprisingly called a pass play on 2nd-and-9 deep in the Gophers' territory, leading to an incomplete pass that stopped the clock, and allowed Iowa to retain one of their three timeouts
They almost paid immediately with the return touchdown were it not for a review from the officials, bailing the Gophers out as time ran down. An interception from Justin Walley a short time later confirmed the Floyd of Rosedale is headed north.
Raised on the Isle of Man, Adam has 15 years experience as a reporter and editor at regional and national level in the U.K. and the U.S. He moved to Minnesota in 2014 and became a writer for Bring Me The News. He is now the co-owner and editor of Bring Me The News and Bring Me The Sports, mixing in some occasional sports writing with his other editorial duties. He lists his three great loves as his family, Liverpool F.C. and baked beans (the British kind).