This Pitt targeting call was somehow upheld, even after a lengthy review

Pitt defensive end Patrick Jones was ejected in the first half of the Panthers’ game against Virginia for targeting. As for the play that was reviewed, it came as Hoos quarterback Bryce Perkins was up in the pocket, trying to fight off a sack. Still on his feet, Jones came in and made a tackle on Johnson:

The referees took about three or four minutes to review the play before it was confirmed as targeting, and Johnson was ejected from the game. Here’s another angle of the hit, which makes the call look even more interesting:

As for the rule itself, this is what the NCAA rulebook says for a hit to be considered targeting:

No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent (See Note 2 below) with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6). (A.R. 9-1-4-I-VI)

Note 1: “Targeting” means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:

-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

This didn’t really look like forcible contact by Jones, nor did it look like he led with the crown of his helmet or leapt, either. This call comes on the heels of another questionable targeting call against LSU cornerback Devin White, who was ejected for targeting on Oct. 20 against Mississippi State. Since the call came in the second half, he’ll have to sit the first half of Saturday’s game against Alabama, despite his own athletic director advocating for him.

Joey Galloway made a good point on at halftime on ESPN:

“It just feels like we’re trying too hard, and there’s a lot of conversation about Devin White missing the first half of the LSU-Alabama game on a questionable targeting call. When it takes you this long, as long as it took this to be reviewed, to me you’re trying too hard. I understand about trying to keep this thing safe. I mean we’re [the players are] in a pile, what do I expect this young man to do? Like, the quarterback’s still on his feet, he has to come make a play.”

The ESPN cameras showed Jones pretty upset as he went to the locker room, and rightfully so, imo.

We’ll see if the ACC has anything to say regarding the penalty, but I think it’s clear officials can all do better with consistency when it comes to the targeting rules.