Iowa needs to move on from the fair catch and fully prepare for Minnesota

Iowa's 2023 matchup against Minnesota had its fair share of controversies. In the middle of the season, Iowa had just one loss to Penn State at the start of Big Ten play, but after their matchup with Minnesota, the Hawkeyes had two losses.

Iowa was on their way to a win with just under two minutes to play after what fans thought was a well-timed punt return for a touchdown by Hawkeyes star Cooper DeJean. Even though he was a cornerback, DeJean was returning punts for the Hawkeyes because of his speed and ability to break tackles.

Iowa's defense had not allowed a touchdown in eight straight quarters, and with the lead so late, the game would have probably been over.

After the touchdown, the referees reviewed the play to see if DeJean stepped out of bounds. Once a review happens, all aspects of the play can be reviewed. When the ref came back on the mic, fans were expecting him to say DeJea did not step out of the bounds and the touchdown stands.

However, the ref said that DeJean had signaled a fair catch, and the touchdown was called back.

Iowa fans were stunned, and the Hawkeyes went on to lose the game 12-10. Ever since that game, Iowa fans have constantly said that it was not a fair catch and that Minnesota should not have won that game.

Everyone can have their opinion on what the call should have been, but it is a whole new season right now. Iowa is set to play Minnesota this week and it feels slightly the same as last season. The Hawkeyes are coming into this matchup with one loss, a shutdown defense, and a struggling offense.

While last year's game hurt, it is time to move on from that game and from that call. The call was one that decided the game, but the Hawkeyes need to focus on the problems they have going on this season.

The offense is still struggling, and the defense is starting to look a little more human than normal. The Hawkeyes thought the offense was going to take a step forward this season, and while sometimes it looks like it has, they still struggle. The defense has given up more points than normal and it is starting to raise a few questions.

Minnesota beat Iowa for the first time since 2014 last season, but instead of dwelling on the loss last season, the Hawkeyes should use it as fuel for this season's matchup.