IOWA CITY, Iowa-- Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz addressed the controversial ending of the Hawkeyes' game against Minnesota in a postgame press conference. The Hawkeyes suffered a 12-10 loss, marking only their second defeat of the season.

Throughout the game, Iowa had been in control, but a faltering second-half offense proved costly. However, it was the disputed ruling on defensive back and punt returner Cooper DeJean's touchdown that sparked outrage among fans and had many questioning the officiating.

Ferentz opened the press conference by expressing his hope that any potential fine from the Big Ten would be directed towards a charitable cause, such as a children's hospital. He then addressed the peculiar nature of the game which saw a total of six replays, with the last play being particularly contentious.

The coach raised concerns about the inconsistency in officiating and the lack of clarity on who has the final say in such situations. He advocated for the on-field official who communicates with the coaches to have the ultimate decision-making authority, suggesting it would lead to greater understanding and transparency.

Ferentz acknowledged the effort put forth by the opposing team but also expressed pride in his own team's performance. He struggled to find the right words to address the disappointment felt by the players and discussed the need to find answers and improve moving forward.

When questioned about the explanation provided by the officials, Ferentz admitted confusion and dissatisfaction, citing discrepancies between the pregame instructions given to the team and the decision made on the field. He emphasized the frustration of seeing an extraordinary play, like DeJean's touchdown, being nullified.

The coach also addressed the team's offensive struggles in the second half, attributing them to the Minnesota defense's effective pressure on Iowa quarterback Deacon, who appeared uncomfortable throughout the game. He mentioned the need for better protection and quicker decision-making from Deacon, while also acknowledging the team's responsibility to establish a stronger running game to alleviate the pressure on the quarterback.

Ferentz emphasized the importance of evaluating players based on practice performance and game situations. While evaluating quarterback performance has drawn attention, he expressed the need to make the best decisions for the entire team, with a clear understanding that there can be gray areas and no guaranteed correctness in decision-making.

Regarding the team's overall offensive performance and concern about the points per game objective, Ferentz reiterated that the primary goal is to win games. He highlighted the detrimental effects of turnovers and how a different interpretation of the final call could have resulted in a victory.

Looking ahead, Ferentz recognized the opportunity the team still had during the game despite the controversial call, citing the strategy of getting a stop on defense and regaining possession. However, he acknowledged the team's failure to capitalize on that opportunity, expressing disappointment in their inability to secure a win.

In conclusion, Ferentz emphasized the need for the team to move forward, learn from the defeat, and focus on improvement during the upcoming bye week. He also acknowledged the emotional toll the loss had on the players but expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back and continue competing.