The Iowa Hawkeyes wanted Cooper DeJean to know this win was also for him. DeJean infamously had his would-be, go-ahead 54-yard punt return touchdown wiped off the board versus Minnesota last season.
After DeJean sent Kinnick Stadium into pandemonium, upon review, officials ruled that DeJean made an invalid fair catch signal, nullifying his punt return touchdown.
Though it was nullified, DeJean’s late-game heroics were not forgotten. The pit it left in Hawkeye stomachs hasn’t been either.
That’s why Iowa football players made it a point to reach out to DeJean following their 31-14 Saturday victory over the Gophers to let DeJean know that they had restored balance to the Iowa-Minnesota rivalry and gotten Floyd back for themselves and for DeJean.
Iowa players quickly FaceTimed DeJean after the Saturday victory went final.
“Back where it belongs, baby!”@cdejean23 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/yaFXnJ3agP
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 22, 2024
“What’s up buddy? We got something for you. It’s back where it’s supposed to be,” Iowa running back Max White tells DeJean.
One of DeJean’s former defensive teammates jumped on the call to celebrate the win and let DeJean know the Hawkeyes were thinking of him.
“Hey, what’s up, Coop? Hey, we brought it back for you dawg,” Iowa defensive end Deontae Craig said.
With a big smile, DeJean shared a message to his former teammates and the Iowa fan base.
“Back where it belongs baby!” DeJean said.
Iowa players exacted a bit of revenge for DeJean with the win, handing the Gophers their ninth loss in the series’ past 10 games and their fifth straight loss in Minneapolis.
DeJean is currently a rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles after he was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.
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