Since its implementation, targeting has been one of the most controversial penalties in not just college football, but all of sports. Another controversy arose on Friday night in Kansas’ 34-23 win over Illinois.
While they won the game, all was not well for the Jayhawks. A pair of Kansas players were ejected for targeting. Since both ejections came in the second half, the players will both be out for the first half of the Jayhawks next game, against Nevada.
Late in the third quarter, Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer made a huge play, scoring on a 72-yard touchdown run. The touchdown trimmed the Illinois deficit to 34-13 so, trying to get to within 19 points, the Fighting Illini went for two.
The conversion initially looked unsuccessful. Altmyer’s pass was incomplete and there were no flags thrown on the play. But, since Altmyer was hit by Kansas’ Austin Booker, the play was reviewed for targeting. The contact was immense, as Altmyer took a while to get back to his feet. But targeting looked far from obvious, which is what it needs to be for the penalty to be called.
Despite that, Booker was eventually flagged for targeting. That gave Illinois another chance at the two-point conversion (which was successful) and meant that Booker was ejected from Friday’s game and will be out for the first half of the Nevada game.
Kansas DL Austin Booker is ejected for targeting after this hit on Illinois QB Luke Altmyer.
As it was a second-half penalty, he'll be ineligible for the first half of Kansas' next game, which is against Nevada. pic.twitter.com/xDu7xk3Lc0
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 9, 2023
That penalty was not well received.
The issue came up again in the fourth quarter. Again, the ruling went against the Jayhawks. This time, it was Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant, who was flagged for targeting receiver Isaiah Williams. Like Booker, Bryant was ejected and will be ineligible for the first two quarters of the Nevada game.
Another Kansas defender, cornerback Cobee Bryant is ejected for targeting.
Like DL Austin Booker, Bryant will be ineligible for the first half of next week's game against Nevada. pic.twitter.com/Wrt3I2bZtr
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 9, 2023
Kansas coach Lance Leipold was frustrated specifically with the first targeting call, saying. per Michael Swain, Kansas 24/7, “I’ve never seen a targeting call like that.”
Lance Leipold on Austin Booker's targeting flag: "I've never seen a targeting call like that." #KUfball
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) September 9, 2023
Leipold was not alone in his frustration.
If that is targeting football is dead.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 9, 2023
The officiating has sucked the air out of what was a well-paced game.
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) September 9, 2023
This was called targeting & he was ejected from the game. Ejected for playing football https://t.co/LC08jg3jaZ
— Braiden Turner (@bturner23) September 9, 2023
You’re telling me THIS was targeting on Kansas?! 😀 pic.twitter.com/ucAYokMK59
— Meteorologist Ryan Larmeu KEVN (@ryanlarmeuwx) September 9, 2023
I'm sure that'll be a play that Lance Leipold sends in to get looked at. Austin Booker disqualified for targeting.#kufball
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) September 9, 2023
The impact of the fouls and even the ejections on Friday’s game was minimal. Kansas had a safe lead and had little problem holding onto the victory.
But barring an overturn on appeal, the Jayhawks will be without two defenders for their next game. And as frustrating as that is for Kansas and its fans, perhaps more frustrating is that targeting is still not something that the college football world has a firm grasp of.
[Michael Swain, Photo Credit: ESPN2]
