Hawkeye fans and Gopher fans can all agree
It was an invalid signal, not a fair catch.
I’m not sure if the NCAA rulebook is one of the books that have been banned in Iowa — and based on his suspension earlier this season, I’m not so sure Kirk Ferentz has even read it — so here is the passage explaining invalid signals:
Invalid Signals — ARTICLE 3
Approved Ruling 6-5-3
I. A1 or B1 signals for a fair catch beyond the neutral zone during a kick that does not cross the neutral zone. RULING: Any signal by Team A is ignored. Team B may not make a fair catch signal because the ball did not cross the neutral zone. However, the ball is dead when caught or recovered (Rules 2-8-1-a and 4-1-3-g).
II. On a free kick, B17 makes an invalid signal for fair catch near the sideline, muffs the ball, and it goes out of bounds. RULING: Team B’s ball, first and 10 at the hash mark.
III. A scrimmage kick strikes the ground beyond the neutral zone and bounces high into the air, and B1 signals for a fair catch. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead when recovered.
IV. B1 catches a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone and then signals for a fair catch. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead where the signal first was given.
V. Team A’s scrimmage kick is rolling beyond the neutral zone when B17 alerts his teammates to stay away from the ball by a “get away” signal. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead by rule when either team recovers.
Did you catch that last part? It’s never too late to learn how to read, even if you live in Iowa.
As a bonus, here is your reminder that after the correct call was made, the Hawkeyes had the ball at their own 46-yard line, trailing by two points with a minute and 30 seconds left on the game clock. Iowa kicker Drew Stevens’ career long was 53 yards, so we’ll say they would have needed to reach the Minnesota 32-yard line to attempt a 50-yard game-winning field goal. Just 22 yards of offense between the Hawkeyes and a potential one-point victory.
Here is that drive, as a refresher:
I hope that helps.
Welcome to Hate Week!