NCAA Football: Top 3 Changes Needed To Targeting Rule

By Kelvin Hunt | Mar 2, 2017

Oct 8, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Kareem Are (left) tries to help up Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (right) during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. FSU won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 11, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Patrick Towles (8) directs traffic before being tackled by Florida State Seminoles linebacker Matthew Thomas (6) during the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports /

Not Targeting If Not Conclusive Evidence

One of the proposed changes that could come about is if referees throw a flag and make the call that it’s targeting. If they goto replay”

If replay overturns targeting, the player stays in the game and the 15-yard penalty goes away.

This is an absolute must.

I can’t count how many times players were wrongfully ejected from games for targeting because the officials didn’t want to be shown up and corrected. What’s even crazier is referees straight getting calls wrong AFTER looking at reply.

For example:

FSU’s Trey Marshall was ejected for this hit on Miami’s Brad Kaaya. How is that targeting? He hits Kaaya in the chest leading with his facemask.

Any referee looking at this on replay should pick up the flag and Marshall stays in the game.

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