College football fans fume at crucial targeting call after brutal hit in Texas-Arizona State CFP game
College football fans and pundits went crazy 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 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 guided with the crown of his helmet and collided with Stovall’s helmet to tackle him.
Stovall was left lying on the ground in pain as the officials assessed the situation for a targeting penalty – which is given when players ‘initiate’.[e] forcible contact against an opponent,” including “leading with the crown of the helmet while making forceful contact, or forcefully contacting the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet.”
Not only did Taaffe lead by the crown of his helmet, but Stovall was hit in the head and was a defenseless receiver.
Despite this meeting both textbook definitions of targeting, the officials immediately replayed and somehow decided it wasn’t targeting – confusing fans, analysts and even former players and referees.
For reasons beyond comprehension, this hit in the Peach Bowl was not called “targeting.”
Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens tweeted: “I was watching this @TexasFootball @ASU game and just watched a textbook ‘targeting’ play being reviewed and determined by the review booth not to be the case. I’m really starting to think the games are rigged. Compare that hit to many targeting hits throughout the year and I’ve seen fewer that come to the fore.”
‘Not ruled as a target. Are you kidding me?,” posted Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports.
ESPN’s Booger McFarland posted, “If that’s not targeting, get rid of the rule,” while CBS Sports’ Danny Kanell tweeted, “Got to protect Texas, I guess… that was targeted all day.”
Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy said, “I hate targeting in general, so I wouldn’t have a problem taking it out of the game. BUT if you want it in the game, you can’t openly cheat. ASU may have become worse than any team I’ve ever seen. That was the most obvious target of all time.”
‘Apparently I don’t know what targeting is. I share that in common with these officials,” said NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson.
Even former NFL referee and football analyst Terry McAulay said, “It’s clearly a targeted foul.”
The decision not to call targeting forced Arizona State to give the ball back to Texas for the final possession.
The Longhorns drove within field goal range, but kicker Bert Auburn missed a kick from 38 yards, leading to overtime.
Fans, analysts, former players and former officials all agreed it was a pointed call
Despite a great Sun Devils game with Cam Skattebo, ASU lost in double overtime
On the first drive of overtime, the Sun Devils scored a TD on eight plays as star running back Cam Skattebo punched it in from three yards out.
Texas later scored a touchdown of their own four plays to force a second overtime.
Then, with just one play, they found the end zone again and converted their two-point try to go up 39-31.
Needing to score to keep the game alive, Leavitt threw an interception to give Texas the victory and advance to the semifinals.
Arizona State got there by staging a huge comeback late in the game. After trailing 24-8 in the third quarter, the Sun Devils were able to score a tying touchdown with five minutes left.
Skattebo played a big role in that — with 30 carries for 143 yards and two rushing touchdowns, as well as a trick-passing play where he also threw for a TD.
Nevertheless, the Longhorns are headed 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.