College football fans fume at crucial targeting call after brutal hit in Texas-Arizona State CFP game
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College football fans and experts collectively lost their minds after a seemingly obvious targeting penalty wasn't called by officials - 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.
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.'.