The definition of targeting in college football seems to be, well, a moving target at times.
Texas Tech defensive back Jah'Shawn Johnson was ejected in the first half of the Red Raiders' game against Oklahoma State for targeting. It wasn't especially egregious. Hell, it doesn't even look like targeting at all. Watch:
This is targeting apparently. Texas Tech's Jah'Shawn Johnson is ejected. pic.twitter.com/RepuMHTOrU
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) October 31, 2015
Quite frankly, it looks like a tackle that happens 40 times a football game without the thought of a penalty flag. But because it came in the open field against a player who caught the ball, it apparently was a targeting foul. Here's what Fox Sports analyst and former official Mike Pereira had to say about the call.
Those asking about the targeting at TTU, I don't like it but facemask to facemask it a foul by rule against a defenseless receiver.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 31, 2015
We understand that targeting is designed to prevent players from serious head injuries. And the rule does penalize those who purposely headhunt. However, there has been a lot of collateral damage within the confines of the rule.
Head-to-head contact in football is unfortunately unavoidable. And Johnson was tackling appropriately. He squared up the offensive player and kept his head up. How else is he supposed to tackle in that situation? Jump to make sure that his helmet doesn't touch the other player's helmet? Going low isn't really an option because he'll have to lower his head and make it more dangerous for himself.
If the rule isn't further clarified in the offseason, we hope officials are at least told to use some better judgment when it comes to interpreting the rule. Football needs to continue to evolve when it comes to safety. But that evolution needs some common sense.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!