“Ohio State’s Targeting Controversy: Is This the Rule Change That Could Alter the Future of College Football?”

The recent targeting ejection involving Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has stirred quite the debate in the football community, leaving many scratching their heads. The call, which occurred during a game against Nebraska and was later overturned, highlights the persistent confusion surrounding the NCAA’s targeting rule—a rule that’s been a point of contention for years. While Reese’s hit on Cornhuskers receiver Jahmal Banks seemed to primarily use his shoulder, officials deemed Banks a defenseless player, activating the targeting response. This incident isn’t just another isolated case; it illuminates a much larger discussion about player safety, officiating consistency, and how imperative it is for both players and fans to clearly understand the rules governing the game. As Ohio State fans can breathe a sigh of relief with Reese cleared to play, the criticism surrounding the ambiguity of targeting calls continues to echo throughout the sport. LEARN MORE.Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.“I give the league credit,” Day said. “I think the easy thing to do would have been just to say no (to the appeal). But they did at least stand up and say no, that should not have been targeting in that moment.”

A player obviously out of the play.

A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kick or the return.ARTICLE 4. 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)A quarterback any time after a change of possessionCornhuskers receiver Jahmal Banks late in the Buckeyes’ 21-17 victory. Reese primarily hit Banks with his shoulder, but officials ruled that Banks was defenseless, so targeting applied.A player who receives a blind-side block.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.”They’re trying to protect that player that is most vulnerable, a player who’s focused on something else and not anticipating being drilled like that,” Pereira said.

More: After struggling against Nebraska, what’s the solution for Ohio State’s offensive line?“He’s able to play in this game, and they realize that should not have been targeting,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday.A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass or in position to receive a backward pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier.But it is open to interpretation. Mike Pereira, rules analyst for Fox and former NFL vice president of officiating, said he believed the targeting penalty and ejection was justified because he considered Banks to be “defenseless” having just caught the ball and Reese hit Banks to the shoulder or neck.ARTICLE 3. No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown of their helmet. The crown of the helmet is the top segment of the helmet; namely, the circular area defined by a 6-inch radius from the apex (top) of the helmet. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 9-6) (A.R. 9-1-3-I)More: Could Ohio State football starting safety Lathan Ransom return at Penn State?

Ohio State appealed the targeting ruling to the Big Ten, which went to the NCAA Football Secretary Rules-Editor. After review, it was determined that Reese was not guilty of targeting. If the appeal had failed, Reese would have had to sit out the first half of Saturday’s showdown at No. 3 Penn State.

Launch. A player leaving their 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 kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick, or one who has completed a catch or recovery and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier.In the 2019 College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Clemson, the game turned when Ohio State safety Shaun Wade was ejected for targeting Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Buckeyes led 16-0 at that point and lost 29-23.

“I think part of that was the fact that he was ruled a runner,” Day said. “If you rule he’s a runner, it’s hard to be defenseless so how does that become targeting?”

A ball carrier already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped.This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch:

The targeting ejection called on Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese on Sunday and later reversed is confusing to many and has been controversial over the years.

“I think everybody’s trying to work through protecting the players,” he said. “You don’t want to see any shots to the head or anybody lowering their head. That’s how I see targeting.

Banks caught a pass from quarterback Dylan Raiola and then was hit by Reese as he started running. The ball was jarred loose, and Ohio State recovered. But the targeting penalty nullified the turnover. The Buckeyes’ defense then held Nebraska from scoring a game-winning touchdown.

Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.

Targeting is the subject of rule 9, section 1, articles 3 and 4. Here is exactly how it appears in the rulebook:

• A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass. This includes an offensive player in a passing posture with focus downfield.
• “Don’t hit the other guy in the head and keep your own head up. To me, that’s a pretty, pretty good definition, and that’s for the safety of the players.”
• But Day said it’s hard to know what is and isn’t targeting. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he doesn’t have the definitive answer, either.
• The targeting call has proven pivotal in previous OSU games. Star defensive end Nick Bosa was ejected late in the second quarter in Ohio State’s loss to Iowa in 2017. The Hawkeyes threw a touchdown pass on the next play for a 31-17 lead on their way to a 55-24 rout.
• A ball carrier who has obviously given themselves up and is sliding feet first.
• 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:
• Note 2: Defenseless player (Rule 2-27-14). When in question, a player is defenseless. Examples of defenseless players include but are not limited to:
• A player on the ground.

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts.

That was the basis for Ohio State’s appeal to the Big Ten.