October 8, 2016 Targeting Plays

[JRutledge]

Tennessee @ Texas A&M Targeting on block:


Peace

[BoomerSooner]

Regardless of my opinion on the call, I think this play shows some evidence that the targeting rule is having a positive influence on hits like this. I have no doubt that even as recently as maybe 5 years ago, we would have seen the Tennessee blocker launch himself into the A&M player and likely have had a much more violent hit likely with helmet to helmet contact. In fairness to the Tennessee player, he didn't launch himself into the A&M player and I don't think there was any intent to make helmet to helmet contact. Just an observation.

[Suudy]

WSU @ Stanford targeting on QB:


I tried to get the URL at the time of the play. About 1:14.

[CT1]

This is the type of play where I have a hard time with certain aspects of the targeting rule.

By itself, the WSU hit is targeting, no doubt: Forceful contact to the head/neck of a defenseless player.

But the defensive player had already committed, and would have made a legal hit had the QB not gone into a slide.

What can the defensive player do to avoid a penalty? Can we (should we) make an allowance for this?