Texas’ thrilling 39-31 double-overtime win against Arizona State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals nearly turned twice on potential targeting penalties that were ultimately not called after review.
Targeting has been college football’s most controversial rule since it was implemented in 2008, in part because it’s a 15-yard penalty with an ejection, and also because fans and commentators still can’t quite define what it is.
In the first situation in Wednesday’s game, Arizona State intercepted a deep Texas pass with 5:45 to play. Another Arizona State defender delivered a hit on Texas receiver Isaiah Bond, whose head swung back on contact. Officials reviewed the play and determined there was no targeting. Arizona State tied the game with a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
With 1:15 left and the score still tied, Arizona State completed a 10-yard pass to receiver Melquan Stovall at midfield on third-and-15. Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe made the hit as both helmets collided. It was also reviewed for targeting, but not called, which upset Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham.
No targeting on Texas here 👀 pic.twitter.com/3BkmiD73MM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 1, 2025
“In terms of targeting, I’m going to be honest: I don’t know what targeting is,” Dillingham said after the game. “… But I do want to protect the players, so whatever rules that protect the players, I’m all about.”
Targeting is defined as either a forcible hit with the crown of the defender’s helmet, or a forcible hit (with any part of the body) in the head or neck area of a defenseless player.
Former NFL official and currently NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay tweeted that he thought Texas’ hit was targeting because of a defenseless player:
To be clear:
1. He took aim at an opponent for purposes
of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball.
2. He led with his head.
3. He made forcible contact to the head/neck area of a defenseless receiver using his… https://t.co/oEAot8DGB8— Terry McAulay (@tjmcaulay) January 1, 2025
A penalty would have extended the drive and given Arizona State a chance to play for the win. It was forced to punt, though Texas subsequently missed what would have been a winning field goal as time expired, sending the game to overtime. There, the Longhorns threw a touchdown on fourth-and-13 to tie the score in the first overtime, then won in the second OT period.
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(Photo: Brett Davis / Imagn Images)