College football’s definition of targeting seems to have hit a gray area, leaving players, coaches, and fans scratching their heads.
The Texas Longhorns and Arizona State Sun Devils found themselves in a heated battle during the Peach Bowl, with the Longhorns edging out a 39-31 victory in double overtime. However, the game wasn’t without controversy, as one pivotal play has sparked widespread debate that may have tilted the balance.
As the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter with the game locked at 24, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt connected with Melaquan Stovall on a crucial third-and-long. Stovall made the reception but was halted abruptly by Texas safety Michael Taaffe. It looked like the kind of hit that could draw a flag, as Taaffe’s helmet seemed to make contact with Stovall’s helmet. Yet, the targeting call never came, leaving fans buzzing and Arizona State questioning what could have been.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian weighed in on the incident, offering a straightforward perspective on the nature of the sport. “As far as football goes, we don’t play flag football. This isn’t 7-on-7. This is tackle football. We believe in playing a physical brand of football. We try to do it the right way within the rules,” Sarkisian stated. He acknowledged that both teams could dispute calls throughout the game, but emphasized that football’s essence lies in its physicality. “We’re always going to try to impose our will on our opponents, and Michael (Taaffe) is a great example of that. He plays the game the right way.”
Despite the missed opportunity to seal the win with a field goal in regulation, the Longhorns found their stride in overtime, notching two touchdowns on consecutive plays to clinch the victory.
For Texas, the absence of a targeting call is more than just relief; it’s a chance to carry their full roster into the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State, where they enter as 6-point underdogs.
As the dust settles, the targeting rule remains a topic of intense discussion, but for Texas, the focus now shifts to preparing for their next challenge on the road to a potential championship.
