College football fans and pundits lost their minds after a targeting penalty was controversially not called in Texas’ dramatic win over Arizona State – even after a video review.
Late in the Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between No. 4 Arizona State and No. 5 Texas, ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed a pass to Sun Devils wide receiver Melquan Stovall.
As he made the catch, Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe led with the crown of his helmet and collided with Stovall’s helmet to tackle him.
Stovall was left lying on the ground in pain while officials reviewed the situation for a targeting penalty – which is called when players ‘initiat[e] forcible contact against an opposing player’ including ‘leading with the crown of the helmet while making forcible contact, or making forcible contact with the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet.’
Not only did Taaffe lead with the crown of his helmet, but Stovall was hit in his head and was a defenseless receiver.
Despite this meeting both textbook definitions of targeting, officials went to instant replay and somehow decided that it wasn’t targeting – confounding fans, analysts, and even former players and referees.
For reasons defying comprehension, this hit in the Peach Bowl wasn’t called targeting
Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens tweeted, ‘Watching this @TexasFootball @ASU game and just watched a textbook “targeting” play get reviewed and determined by the review booth that it wasn’t. I’m really beginning to think the games are rigged. Compare that hit alot of targeting hits throughout the year and I’ve seen less get upeld.’
‘Not ruled targeting. Are you kidding mee??,’ NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach posted.
ESPN’s Booger McFarland posted, ‘If that’s not targeting do away with the rule,’ while CBS Sports’ Danny Kanell tweeted, ‘Gotta protect Texas I guess…that was targeting all day long.’
Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy said, ‘I hate targeting in general so I’d have no problem taking it out of the game. BUT if you’re gonna have it in the game you can’t openly cheat. ASU just maybe got f**ked worse than any team I’ve ever seen. That was the most obvious targeting of all time.’
‘Evidently, I don’t know what targeting is. I share that in common with these officials,’ posted NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson.
Even former NFL referee and football analyst Terry McAulay posted, ‘Clearly a targeting foul.’
The decision to not call targeting forced Arizona State to punt the – handing the ball back to Texas for the final possession of regulation.
The Longhorns drove into field goal range, but kicker Bert Auburn missed a 38-yard kick – leading to overtime.
Fans, analysts, former players, and former officials all agreed it was a targeting call
Despite a great game from Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo, ASU lost in double overtime
On the first drive of overtime, the Sun Devils scored a TD after eight plays as star running back Cam Skattebo punched it in from three yards out.
Texas scored a touchdown of their own four plays later to force a second overtime.
Then, they found the end zone again with just one play and converted their two-point attempt to go up 39-31.
Needing to score to keep the game alive, Leavitt threw an interception to hand Texas the victory and advance to the semifinals.
Arizona State got there by mounting a massive comeback late in the game. After being down 24-8 in the third quarter, the Sun Devils were able to score a game-tying touchdown with five minutes remaining.
Skattebo played a big role in that – with 30 carries for 143 yards and two rushing touchdowns as well as a trick passing play that saw him throw for a TD as well.
Nevertheless, the Longhorns are off to the Cotton Bowl Classic – played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas where they will play for a chance to go to the National Championship game.
They will play the winner of the Rose Bowl Game between No. 1 Oregon and No. 8 Ohio State.
