Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark announced Thursday that he has contacted College Football Playoff leaders to discuss targeting non-calls late in ASU’s Peach Bowl loss to Texas.
“I am extremely proud that Arizona State represented the Big 12 in the CFP quarterfinals,” Yormark said in a statement. “Although the results didn’t go our way, the Sun Devils proved this season that they are one of the most talented teams in college football.
“As a member of the College Football Playoff Management Committee, I have had numerous discussions with (CFP Director) Richard Clark to clarify the targeting call on Arizona State’s final drive of the fourth quarter. must address the CFP authorities to ensure the development of national standards. These standards are critical to the future of the CFP and I look forward to discussing them with other members at our next meeting. .”
The key play in the Peach Bowl loss occurred with just over a minute left in regulation and the game tied at 24.
ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt hit Melquan Stovall for 10 yards on a third-and-15 at the ASU 48-yard line. Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe appeared to make a tackle with helmet-to-helmet contact on what many believed was a defenseless player.
The referees brought this play up for replay review, but it was ruled legal and ASU punted on fourth-and-5 instead of continuing the drive. Texas ended up missing its own field goal in regulation before winning in the second overtime.
College football rules analysts widely viewed the play as a clearly targeted call.
What ASU said about targeting non-call against Texas State
Arizona State AD Graham Rossini told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta that he spoke with Yormark about the missed call Thursday morning.
“He is having some discussions and I would be happy to participate,” Rossini said of not getting a call back. “I’ll have to go back and take a closer look myself… I think I agree with what coach (Kenny Dillingham) said in the press conference last night, understanding what this call is and how this could be. I think it needs to be applied across sports and conference by conference so that there is clarity on what is targeting and what is not.
“You can’t take it back. A call is a call. I think we had other chances to advance and win that game, and kudos to Texas for stepping forward.”
Leading up to the Peach Bowl, ASU had weeks of additional context for its lack of clarity regarding targeting penalties.
The Sun Devils lost defensive back Shamari Simmons in the first half of the Peach Bowl when he caught fire on defenseless Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht in the Big 12 title game. ASU dismissed the appeal.
After the game, coach Dillingham said he didn’t understand what targeting was and reiterated that position after the Longhorns were not penalized in Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinal.
“We lost one of our best players in the first half because of targeting, and I just don’t know what it is,” Dillingham added. “So I don’t want to comment on what it is just because we need to better understand what it is.
“But I want to protect the players. So whatever rules are put in place to protect the players, I’m going to follow them.”
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