Postgame podcast: Breaking down Iowa’s loss to Minnesota
Invalid fair catch? We discuss the call that wiped out Iowa’s would-be go-ahead touchdown in Saturday’s 12-10 loss to Minnesota and the brutal offense that put the Hawkeyes in a position to need that score on The Final Score podcast.
Kirk Ferentz blasts officiating in Iowa’s 12-10 loss to Minnesota
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said it is “really hard to accept the explanation that we got” after Big Ten Conference officials called an invalid fair catch on Cooper DeJean that wiped out a 54-yard touchdown.
Fourth-quarter wave at Kinnick was one Hawkeyes will never embrace, accept
A highly controversial reversal of Cooper DeJean’s punt return for a touchdown combines with horrible offense to give Iowa a loss to Minnesota that it should have never had.
Minnesota players apparently smoked what team managers told me were cheap cigars in the pink visitors' locker room.
Iowa vs. Minnesota Game Report: Turning point, numbers and notes
A closer look at the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ 12-10 win Saturday afternoon over the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa suffers setback against Minnesota after coming tantalizingly close to comeback
After beating fellow Big Ten West contender Wisconsin last week, the 24th-ranked Hawkeyes suffered a 12-10 loss to Minnesota Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.
Cooper DeJean said he did not think it was a fair catch. Said he was trying to “keep my balance” as he ran to the ball.
The Hawkeyes had 12 offensive yards in the second half.
Final: Minnesota 12, No. 24 Iowa 10
P.J. Fleck gets his first win over the Hawkeyes.
It's the Gophers' first win in the series since 2014 and first win at Kinnick Stadium since 1999.
Iowa falls to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten. Minnesota is 4-3, 2-2.
Interception
Deacon Hill was sacked on first down and picked off by Justin Walley at the Minnesota 43 on third-and-17.
Iowa only has one timeout left, trailing 12-10 with 1:00 left
Pickedโผ๏ธ@JustinWalley_ and @GopherFootball can smell that pig. ๐
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 21, 2023
๐บ: NBC pic.twitter.com/DChXflFo3j
Debris is getting thrown onto the field.
Cooper DeJean's punt return TD is overturned
After a Minnesota three-and-out, Cooper DeJean let the punt bounce, then picked it up and somehow eluded multiple Minnesota defenders on the sideline.
He cut back and sprinted to the end zone for what appeared to be a 54-yard, go-ahead touchdown.
But after a long review, it was determined DeJean waved his left hand when the ball was in the air and officials ruled an invalid fair catch signal.
So the Hawkeyes have the ball at their 46 with one timeout remianing, trailing 12-10 with 1:33 remaining.
THEY CALLED THIS AN INVALID FAIR CATCH??? OH NO IOWA pic.twitter.com/iImEwl6RPH
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) October 21, 2023
Iowa punts
Deacon Hill's third-and-10 pass sailed over Seth Anderson.
Iowa punted on fourth-and-10 from its 41 and Minnesota will take over at its 13. Iowa has all three timeouts remaining.
Minnesota 12, Iowa 10 (1:59 4th)
Deacon Hill throws an 11-yard pass to Addison Ostrenga and the call stands after review. Huge first down for Iowa. Ball on the Iowa 41. Probably need to get it another 25ish yards to get into field goal range.
No way, Addison Ostrenga?! ๐ฑ@AddisonOstrenga x @HawkeyeFootball
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 21, 2023
๐บ: NBC pic.twitter.com/K1mX37wLD9
Deacon Hill's first completion of the second half is a 9-yard pass to Seth Anderson to start the drive. Then Hill sneaks for a gain of 7.
Minnesota has 172 yards in the second half. Iowa has minus-8. Is that complementary football?
Minnesota doing an Iowa: three runs and a punt. Hey, why not? That's smart football!
Gophers go three-and-out
Important stand for the Iowa defense on a drive that started at the Hawkeye 47.
Minnesota punted on fourth-and-6 from the Iowa 43. The Hawkeyes take over at their 14.
Minnesota 12, Iowa 10 (4:35 4th)
"Fire Brian" chants at Kinnick after that sack.
Iowa QB Deacon Hill has not completed a pass since about midway through the second quarter.
Holding, then a sack
Gennings Dunker was flagged for holding, then Deacon Hill was sacked by Jalen Logan-Redding. That brought up third-and-28 from the Iowa 7 and Hill's pass into traffic was broken up by Tyler Nubin.
Minnesota gets it back at the Iowa 47.
Minnesota 12, Iowa 10 (6:57 4th)
Gennings Dunker is slow to get up and goes to the sidelines under his own power. DeJong replaces him at right tackle.
Minnesota takes its first lead
Dragan Kesich's 31-yard field goal gave Minnesota a 12-10 lead, completing a seven-play, 60-yard drive.
Athan Kaliakmanis took a shot from Nick Jackson but still delivered a 39-yard pass to Daniel Jackson to move the Gophers to the Iowa 17. That was Minnesota's longest passing play of the season, according to NBC.
Quinn Schulte broke up his third-and-6 attempt to Brevyn Spann-Ford.
Minnesota 12, Iowa 10 (8:33 4th)
Deacon Hill 0-for-6 passing in the second half. Iowa with 1 yard total offensively.
Six straight incompletions for Deacon Hill, who now is 7-for-19 this afternoon.
Iowa goes three-and-out
Deacon Hill hasn't completed a pass in the second half. Two more attempts on this three-and-out that had no chance.
Minnesota gets it back at its 27 after Tory Taylor's 46-yard punt.
Iowa 10, Minnesota 9 (11:57 4th)
The Hawkeyes have gained 57 yards because of Minnesota penalties.
Gophers punt from Iowa territory
Minnesota converted third-and-10 when Darius Taylor tiptoed the sideline for an 11-yard gain. Athan Kaliakmanis' third-and-6 throw three plays later wasn't even close, though, and the Gophers punted from the Iowa 42.
Iowa starts at its 24 after a kick-catch interference penalty.
Iowa 10, Minnesota 9 (12:52 4th)
End 3rd: Iowa 10, Minnesota 9
Iowa had minus-3 yards in the third quarter. No, that's not a typo.
Iowa averaged 1 yard per carry in the first half and has minus-2 yards rushing in the second half. O-line seems to have regressed today.
Iowa's defense will have to keep making stands
Iowa went three-and-out after Seth Anderson dropped Deacon Hill's third-and-7 pass. The Hawkeyes were flagged for holding on the play anyway.
Minnesota gets it back at its 27.
Iowa 10, Minnesota 9 (1:30 3rd)
Minnesota cuts the lead to 1
The fumble only led to three points for the Gophers, a 28-yard Dragan Kesich field goal.
Kyler Fisher sacked Athan Kaliakmanis on second-and-7 and Kaliakmanis couldn't hit Jackson in the end zone on third-and-9. So, a four-play, 1-yard drive.
The Gophers only have 3 points off of two Deacon Hill fumbles inside the Iowa 35.
Iowa 10, Minnesota 9 (2:25 3rd)
Deacon Hill fumbles, Gophers recover
For the second time, Deacon Hill had the ball knocked out on the first play of Iowa's drive and Minnesota recovered in Hawkeye territory.
This time Tyler Nubin got to Hill and Devon Williams recovered at the Iowa 11.
Iowa 10, Minnesota 6 (3:54 3rd)
Tyler Nubin is a turnover machine. ๐ฏ@T_Nubin27 x @GopherFootball
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 21, 2023
๐บ: NBC pic.twitter.com/R6yoDEKXrX
Joe Evans helps the Iowa defense bounce back
Minnesota converted third-and-15 after a Joe Evans sack when Athan Kaliakmanis completed a 16-yard pass to Daniel Jackson. But the Hawkeyes forced a punt, with Evans running Kaliakmanis out of bounds for a 1-yard gain on third-and-6.
Iowa gets it back at its 17.
Iowa 10, Minnesota 6 (4:38 3rd)
Iowa goes three-and-out
A run for no gain was followed by two incomplete passes and Iowa went three-and-out on its first drive of the second half.
Minnesota takes over at its 18 after a 57-yard Tory Taylor punt
Iowa 10, Minnesota 6 (7:58 3rd)
Minnesota finds some offense
Athan Kaliakmanis only threw for 8 yards in the first half but the Minnesota QB totaled 40 on the first possession of the second half.
Dragan Kesich capped a 13-play, 64-yard drive with a 44-yard field goal.
Kaliakmanis' third-and-2 pass was deflected and hung in the air. A number of Hawkeyes got their hands on it but it fell incomplete.
Iowa 10, Minnesota 6 (8:59 3rd)
Half: Iowa 10, Minnesota 3
Iowa is leading at halftime despite averaging 1.0 yard per carry (19 yds, 19 carries). Great half for Iowa's defense and special teams.
Iowa's Karson Sharar is called for targeting on the kick return after video review. Ejected from the game.
Minnesota entered this game ranked third in the nation for fewest penalties per game at 3.0. It had four on that Iowa touchdown drive.
Touchdown Iowa: Deacon Hill sneaks it in
Iowa's best offense? Minnesota penalties
A face mask on third-and-4 extended the Hawkeyes' drive, and pass interference in the end zone two plays later moved Iowa to the 7. Offside before the next snap tacked on a few more yards.
After two straight unsuccessful Deacon Hill QB sneaks brought up fourth-and-goal, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave the Hawkeyes a fresh set of downs.
Hill finally scored a 1-yard touchdown on his third straight run. Officials even went to video review for that one and the call stood.
It was a six-play, 46-yard drive with flags accounting for 32 of those yards.
Iowa 10, Minnesota 3 (0:49 2nd)
After two straight runs, Deacon Hill scrambled for what would have been no gain on third-and-4. But a face mask penalty gave the Hawkeyes a first down.
Minnesota avoids a safety
Ethan Hurkett got to Athan Kaliakmanas, but the Minnesota QB slipped away in the end zone and threw a 5-yard completion to Daniel Jackson on third-and-6.
Iowa takes over at the Gopher 46 with another field position win after the three-and-out.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 3 (4:33 2nd)
Minnesota has done a much better job of stopping the run this week. 6 rushing yards on 12 attempts.
Iowa's punt game shines
Deacon Hill converted a third-and-1 with a QB sneak, but Jaziun Patterson was stopped for no gain on third-and-1 three plays later.
Iowa punted from its 44, a 55-yard Tory Taylor beauty that Cooper DeJean downed inside the 1.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 3 (6:43 2nd)
Tory Taylor remains a cheat code. ๐ฎ#ForTheBrand x @HawkeyeFootball
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 21, 2023
๐บ: NBC pic.twitter.com/POpsyxp20e
Iowa's defense holds
Minnesota couldn't pick up a first down after the fumble and Dragan Kesich missed a 43-yard field goal wide right into the wind.
It was three straight runs for the Gophers, totaling 7 yards. Sebastian Castro and Nick Jackson made the stop for no gain on third-and-3.
Huge win for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 3 (10:29 2nd)
Deacon Hill fumbles, Gophers recover
Deacon Hill stepped up in the pocket on first down and had the ball knocked out by Devon Williams. Tyler Nubin recovered at the Iowa 32.
That's a play the Hawkeyes can't afford from an already struggling offense.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 3 (12:17 2nd)
Strip Sack ๐
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 21, 2023
Tyler Nubin picks up the loose ball for @GopherFootball.
๐บ: NBC pic.twitter.com/ucNPYNKGA6
False start leads to another Minnesota three-and-out
The Gophers jumped on third-and-1, then Corey Crooms dropped a third-and-6 pass.
Iowa gets a field-position win, starting at its 37.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 3 (12:32 2nd)
Hawkeyes start the second quarter with a three-and-out
Deacon Hill threw an 11-yard pass to Nico Ragaini on second-and-15 after a 5-yard Leshon Williams loss to end the first quarter, but the Hawkeyes still went three-and-out.
Minnesota starts at its 17 after Tory Taylor's 52-yard punt.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 3 (14:08 2nd)
End 1st: Iowa 3, Minnesota 3
Solid first drive for Iowa, and then 7 yards on the 7 plays since then.
Minnesota ties it
Dragan Kesich drilled a 43-yard field goal to tie the score. The Gophers called their second timeout before the kick to keep the wind at his back.
It was a nine-play, 45-yard drive following back-to-back three-and-outs to open the game.
Zach Evans ran for 28 yards on six carries. The Gophers also picked up a first down via a Jermari Harris pass interference penalty.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 3 (0:17 1st)
Minnesota timeout with 29 seconds left in the first quarter ahead of third-and-6. Keeps the wind at the Gophers' backs.
Iowa can't convert on third-and-7
Nico Ragaini was open down the field, but Deacon Hill's pass was off the mark.
The Hawkeyes went three-and-out and Minnesota starts at its 30.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 0 (4:17 1st)
Yards: Iowa 79, Minnesota 1.
Third-down sack forces another three-and-out
Max Llewellyn sacked Athan Kaliakmanis on third-and-7, one play after he and Joe Evans teamed up for a TFL after Sebastian Castro hit Daniel Jackson behind the line of scrimmage.
The Gophers went three-and-out and Iowa takes over at its 19 after a 54-yard Mark Crawford punt and block in the back penalty.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 0 (5:16 1st)
Come on, Kinnick Stadium fans. Do you KNOW Kirk Ferentz? Ain't gonna go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 45.
Iowa punts on fourth-and-1
A rare Tory Taylor touchback.
The Hawkeyes went three-and-out despite Deacon Hill's 7-yard completion to Nico Ragaini on second down. They punted on fourth-and-1 from their 45.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 0 (7:17 1st)
Gophers go three-and-out
Minnesota lost a yard on its first possession thanks to a third-and-6 false-start penalty.
Joe Evans hit Athan Kaliakmanis as he threw on third-and-11.
Iowa starts at its 36.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 0 (9:22 1st)
Deacon Hill with 27 more passing yards (64) on Iowa's opening drive than he had all last Saturday at Wisconsin.
Iowa takes the lead with an early field goal
Iowa's opening drive went 70 yards on 11 plays, but the Hawkeyes settled for a 23-yard Drew Stevens field goal to take the lead.
Deacon Hill completed 3 of 6 passes for 64 yards.
Hill and receiver Diante Vines made the best play of the drive when Hill was pressured out of the pocket on third-and-14 and launched an off-balance throw to Vines, who held off his defender to make a leaping catch on the sideline for a 36-yard gain to the Minnesota 11. The play stood after review.
Leshon Williams ran to the 5, but was stuffed on second down and Hill's third-down pass was hot and through the hands of a jumping Seth Anderson.
Iowa 3, Minnesota 0 (10:35 1st)
Deacon Hill with a 36-yard completion to Diante Vines on third-and-14. Heck of a catch by Vines. Play stands after review.
We see you, Diante Vines! ๐ฑ@diantev22 x @HawkeyeFootball
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 21, 2023
๐บ: NBC pic.twitter.com/OOvTYrm0Qc
Well done on the stripe-out, Iowa fans.
Minnesota wins the toss and chooses to defer. Hawkeyes will receive.
Hawkeyes' first-team OL: Richman, Feth, Jones, Colby, Dunker
Second team: DeJong, Chaplin, Elsbury, Stephens, Parker
All six Hawkeyes who were listed as questionable (Bostick, D. Lee, Sharar, Pascuzzi, Ostrenga, Black) are in uniform and warming up.
Early look at the Hawkeyes' gold alternate uniforms.
Iowa tight ends Addison Ostrenga and Johnny Pascuzzi and defensive lineman Yahya Black (all questionable) are participating in early warmups.
Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black and tight end Addison Ostrenga are both listed as questionable in Iowa’s Big Ten-mandated pregame availability report.
Fellow tight end Johnny Pascuzzi also is listed as questionable as injuries pile up at the position. Steven Stilianos and Zach Ortwerth are the top tight ends who do not have an injury designation.
On the other sideline, top Minnesota running back Darius Taylor does not have any injury designation. Saturday will be Taylor’s first game since Sept. 23.
Here is the full list of Iowa players listed as out of questionable against Minnesota.
Minnesota-Iowa storylines
3 keys for Iowa: Can Iowa stop (or at least slow down) Minnesota in the rushing game?Does Iowa’s offense play mistake-free football? And watch Iowa’s rushing attack vs. Minnesota’s defensive front. Here’s the analysis from John Steppe.
Gameday feature: Hard-hitting Iowa safety Sebastian Castro developed fearless football instincts at a young age.
Hlas column: It may seem hard to believe, but Tory Taylor has become the best Hawkeye punter ever.
Minnesota perspective: Will star freshman running back Darius Taylor return for Minnesota this week?
Fun Facts: Iowa’s eight-game winning streak over the Gophers is the second-longest in series history. Here are 20 things to know about Minnesota-Iowa.
Data analysis: Quantifying Tory Taylor's ‘huge’ impact in Iowa’s field position game.
Injury report: Steven Stilianos is among the Iowa tight ends trying to fill the void after Erick All’s season-ending injury.
Mike Hlas: Iowa 4, Minnesota 2
John Steppe: Iowa 13, Minnesota 10
Jeff Johnson: Iowa 20, Minnesota 10
Rob Gray: Iowa 17, Minnesota 7
Beth Malicki: Iowa 20, Minnesota 13
Todd Brommelkamp: Iowa 21, Minnesota 14
How to watch Iowa vs. Minnesota
Kickoff time: 2:33 p.m. (CT)
TV channel: NBC
Live stream: Peacock
TV announcers: Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (analyst), Zora Stephenson (sideline)
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network | The Varsity Network app | SiriusXM channel 85