Punter Ejected After Worst Case of Targeting We Have Ever Seen
Kids, do not try this at home, or in your Pop Warner leagues.
A punter for Liberty University — yes, a punter — was ejected Saturday for a dangerous “targeting” tackle during a punt return against Army.
The play happened with 2:23 left in the first quarter of Army’s 38-14 win over Liberty.
Liberty punter Aidan Alves kicked away to Army return man Mike Reynolds. Reynolds returned the punt 22 yards and was brought down by Alves, among others, who speared Reynolds with a head first tackle.
This is how Liberty’s punter got ejected for targeting.
Yeah, don’t tackle like this, kids. pic.twitter.com/YhK2Q6ViNV
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) September 8, 2018
Alves was immediately ejected for targeting, which is a rule instituted in 2013 to prohibit tackles just like this one.
He led with his head, hitting Reynolds in the head with the crown of his helmet. He didn’t even use his arms, leaving the referees with no doubts that this was targeting.
The NCAA’s targeting rule says that players who target and contact defenseless opponents above the shoulders be ejected.
Alves was ejected and Liberty was assessed a 15-yard penalty. Army went on to score after a 26-yard run by Darnell Woolfork.
All targeting fouls result in a 15-yard penalty. Video review is consulted to see if the penalty warrants the player’s ejection.
Targeting is controversial because it’s not always cut and dried, but in the case of Alves, few would disagree with the refs.
There’s been a few ejections for targeting already this season, including Michigan safety Josh Martellus for hit against Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack last week, and Miami cornerback Trajan Bandy for a hit against LSU receiver Dee Anderson.
It leaves many wondering just what constitutes targeting, especially on plays where the hit appears to have been unavoidable.
Man this targeting rule is so harsh. The receiver is falling to the ground, then he turns his head while the defender is beginning his tackling motion. I just don't know what Bandy can do there. #MIAvsLSU
— Jimmy Mack (@jcmack03) September 2, 2018
But in the case of Alves, the hit was not only dangerous for the runner, but it was equally dangerous for the tackler. Even if this wasn’t a penalty, Alves risked serious injury by launching his body and leading with his helmet.
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