Notre Dame linebacker Ben Councell was ejected for a targeting call midway through the fourth quarer of the Irish's game with Oklahoma. Councel clearly went helmet-to-helmet with Oklahoma senior running back Brennan Clay on a throw over the middle. The play drew an immediate flag, and Councell's ejection was more than justified.
Notre Dame linebacker Ben Councell ejected for targeting
Linebacker hit Oklahoma running back Brennan Clay above the shoulders, drawing a targeting flag.
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Under the terms of the new targeting rule in college football, which prohibits contacting defenseless players above the shoulders, a player flagged for targeting is ejected from the remainder of the game. Because Cooucell’s violation came in the second half, he will be suspended for the first half of Notre Dame’s next game against Arizona State.
Clay has seven carries for 40 yards on the day, and a catch out of the backfield for one yard.
The 15-yard penalty and ejection comes as Notre Dame tries to counteract recent Oklahoma momentum and overcome a 14-point deficit. Had the pass been dropped, Oklahoma would have been forced to punt from its own 36. As it was, the Sooners only got three more plays before punting the ball back to the Irish.
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