College football world questions targeting call during Syracuse-Virginia game
Syracuse and Virginia took the field at JMA Wireless Dome on Friday evening in a cross-divisional ACC contest. The Orange were looking for their 1st 4-0 start since 2018, while the Cavaliers entered the evening 2-1.
While the Orange ended up winning 22-20 behind a late field goal after blowing a 16-0 halftime lead, it’s a moment in the 3rd quarter that drew the ire of college football fans. Naturally, it was a moment that involved targeting, which has long been a controversial topic in the sport.
Take a look at the video below as Orange QB Garrett Shrader is taken down on a hard hit by Cavs defender Nick Jackson. Although hard, it appeared legal, but it ended up whistled for a penalty:
Why do we keep trying to make football safe?? It’s not supposed to be. These targeting rules are killing the sport. pic.twitter.com/sPRxRzYpnn
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 24, 2022
Generally, if a player makes contact with another player with the crown of his helmet, that’s considered targeting, and is upheld or overturned after a video review. In this case, it doesn’t look as if there was much of that here. However, Jackson was ultimately ejected and will miss the 1st half of the Cavs’ next game.
That didn’t sit well with college football fans:
Nick Jackson just made this tackle and got called for targeting
We’re ejecting guys for this ? pic.twitter.com/9T9mgjFgQw
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) September 24, 2022
Bummer for Nick Jackson. Wanting to hit hard, doesn’t seem malicious. Really good player.
— Connor Davis (@ConnorD923) September 24, 2022
Watching the @UVAFootball game tonight, and the targeting call against, Nick Jackson wasn't warranted IMO. He breaks down, makes a hard stick, and while he's in motion to make the tackle, the QB starts to slide/go down and he hits him in his upoer body…ejected, bad call!
— Family Man (Dave) (@TeamKFBfan8) September 24, 2022
What a joke. Great football play Nick Jackson.
— Byron Kerr (@bkerrpxp) September 24, 2022
Absolutely hate that for Nick Jackson. I have no idea what he’s supposed to do there.
— Scott Robertson (@Scott_OnSports) September 24, 2022
I don't know what else Nick Jackson is supposed to do there.
But this is going to be a targeting call against #UVA.
— Jacquie Franciulli (@JacquieFran_) September 24, 2022
I’m sorry Nick Jackson, you would have gotten defender of the month from 1888-2018 for that hit!
— Everyone Hates Chris (@ckssense) September 24, 2022
Here we go again with targeting. Nick Jackson, one of UVA's best defenders, is called for it. Play is reviewed and he is ejected.
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) September 24, 2022
Oh man. Nick Jackson just flagged for targeting. I don't know what Jackson is supposed to do there. Official said Jackson led with crown of his helmet. Huge loss for Hoos.
— Greg Madia (@GregMadia) September 24, 2022