Targeting is debated almost weekly in college football, but on Saturday we saw a quarterback get called for it. We’re not exactly used to that.
Northern Arizona’s quarterback was ejected for targeting. Yes, it’s possible.
He taunted the crowd on his way out, too!
Northern Arizona was taking on Montana in Missoula. Quarterback Case Cookus set a block downfield and was ejected for the hit.
The school’s Twitter account wasn’t happy about it:
He also didn’t leave the stadium shy. He taunted the Montana faithful on his way out:
Cooks was 4-of-6 passing on the afternoon with 44 yards. The play happened in the first quarter, and now the Lumberjacks get to roll with Stone Smartt the rest of the way.
You might be asking yourself, “Wait, you can get ejected for targeting on a block?”
Yes, you can. Not all targeting calls have to be helmet to helmet hits, and while often times they are by hits from defenders on defenseless offensive players, the entire point is to protect the players.
No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul.
It also adds that there are many other situations that are considered targeting:
Launch—a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area
A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground
Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area
Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet
The more you know!
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