CFB world questions no-call on ‘textbook’ targeting

Saturday’s game between LSU and Alabama was a showcase for the two starting quarterbacks, As LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe put on a show. The show, however, was cut short when Daniels was knocked out of the game early in the fourth quarter on a hit by Alabama’s Dallas Turner.

Turner’s hit on Daniels drew a roughing the passer penalty but nothing more.

CBS’ rules analyst Gene Steratore suggested that Turner’s hit on Daniels might have been targeting. But targeting was not called.

Targeting has been one of college football’s most confusing and debated rules since its inception. This was no different, as college football fans didn’t understand how this was not called.

SEC takes care of its own. Brian Kelly ain't. https://t.co/XtAb2aghJm

— Will Rubin (@WillCRubin) November 5, 2023

It initially looked as though Daniels would miss only one play. He returned to the field but didn’t end up running a play after a false start penalty by the Tigers and then an LSU time-out. When the action resumed following the time-out, Daniels was in the medical tent and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.

UPDATE: This originally said that there was no review for targeting. There was no apparent review on the broadcast. But after the game, Jacques Doucet of WAFB reported that “Brian Kelly asked officials to review the non targeting call on Jayden Daniels that knocked him out of game. They reviewed, didn’t feel there was targeting.”

While the initial tweet can’t be changed, all other references to a lack of review have been removed.

[Photo Credit: CBS]