Texas and Arizona State’s thrilling College Football Playoff quarterfinal was not without controversy.
With just over a minute to play in the fourth quarter and the game tied at 24-24, Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt threw short over the middle to wideout Melquan Stovall, who was subsequently taken down by Texas’ Michael Taaffe on a hard hit that came with helmet-to-helmet contact.
However, despite a review from officials, targeting was not called.
Immediately after the play, the ESPN broadcast consulted rules expert Matt Austin, who seemed to think that a case for targeting could be made.
“Well, we have a defenseless receiver, and just as he’s turning after catching the ball, he gets hit in the head by the defender. So I would not be surprised if this is called targeting from the booth,” Austin said.
However, targeting was not called, and Arizona State ultimately punted the ball on fourth down before Texas missed what would’ve been a game-sealing field goal in the final seconds of the fourth, though the Longhorns sealed a 39-31 win in double overtime.
After the non-call, a large portion of social media was in disbelief that targeting was not issued.
“100% targeting, horse s–t to not call it. AWFUL,” wrote football analyst Warren Sharp on X.
“Evidently, I don’t know what targeting is. I share that in common with these officials,” NFL RedZone’s Scott Hanson chimed in.
“One of the most gutless, non-calls I’ve ever seen. Clearly targeting on Texas,” sports radio legend Mike Francesa wrote.
After the game, Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham did not divulge much into the call.
“I’m going to be honest,” he said. “I just don’t know what targeting is.
“I don’t want to comment on something that I have to get a better grasp on what it is.”
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