Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean leaves game vs Nebraska with injury

Iowa might have to go through its game against Nebraska shorthanded in the secondary. Defensive back Cooper DeJean left the matchup with an injury on the Cornhuskers’ first drive of the game.

DeJean left the field after Casey Thompson completed a screen pass to Trey Palmer and eventually headed to the locker room. He leads a strong Hawkeyes defense with four interceptions this year.

That means the Iowa secondary will be even thinner during its rivalry game against Nebraska. The Hawkeyes are also without Terry Roberts and turned to freshman T.J. Hall after DeJean’s injury.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Iowa is looking to seal a Big Ten West title with a victory over Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium. The Cornhuskers, meanwhile, are trying to spoil the Hawkeyes’ chances of making the Big Ten Championship.

Mickey Joseph, Nebraska hope to play spoiler against Iowa

At 3-8, Nebraska doesn’t have anything tangible to play for. The Cornhuskers don’t have a bowl, they don’t have a Big Ten West crown. Instead, they have things like pride. They want to send Mickey Joseph, the interim head coach, out on a high note. Perhaps most importantly, Nebraska wants to play the role of spoiler for rival Iowa.

Joseph confirmed that much while speaking to the media in the week leading up to the game.

“Yeah, they can be the spoiler,” Joseph said. “Yeah, we talked about that, and I think it’s the next game and I know it’s a rivalry game. So, I know they’re going to be up for it. They’re going to come out and play at full force this game.”

With a win, Iowa would win the Big Ten West. If the Hawkeyes lose, things get more complicated. With a loss, Iowa could still win the Big Ten Championship, but the Hawkeyes would need Illinois and Purdue to lose to Northwestern and Indiana respectively, which isn’t likely.