Fans, media tear into SEC officials after star Mizzou LB Nick Bolton was ejected on controversial targeting call
The Missouri Tigers are trailing Arkansas 27-20 at halftime of the Battle Line Rivalry game. And, not only does Arkansas get the ball to start the second half, the Tigers will be without their best player.
Star LB Nick Bolton was ejected late in the second quarter on a controversial targeting call.
As you can see below, Bolton seemed to lead with his shoulder while hitting a receiver going across the middle, only making incidental helmet-to-helmet contact:
My God, what a hit by Mizzou LB Nick Bolton! It's being reviewed for targeting tho pic.twitter.com/ZymRIrMtza
— . (@FTBBurner11) December 5, 2020
The broadcast crew and many analysts on Twitter were stunned when Bolton was kicked out of the game.
Needless to say, Mizzou fans were irate that the call was confirmed and Bolton was ejected, on his Senior Day, no less. And, Mizzou fans had plenty of support from media members and across the college football landscape:
If that hit is illegal, and confirmed after a review, then we might as well take away the shoulder pads and helmets and hand out flags. How are you supposed to hit?
— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) December 5, 2020
.@SEC DO SOMETHING!!! How many games have to be RUINED by your horrible officials!?
— The Mizzodcast (@mizzodcast) December 5, 2020
In most likely his last career game at Mizzou, LB Nick Bolton was ejected on a questionable targeting call.
Death. Taxes. And @SECOfficiating
— Saturday Down South (@SDS) December 5, 2020
That is way worse than the helmet to helmet call against Catalon. Let’s see how @SECOfficiating handles it…
— Trey Biddy (@TreyBiddy) December 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/Harp41/status/1335292466153594880
. @SECOfficiating absolute garbage by you. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/2dUwmjbVBA
— chiefs. (defending) CHAMPS! 10-1 (@good_tweets_ted) December 5, 2020
I have had it up to here with the @SECOfficiating ! You guys are horrible!
That was not targeting on the Mizzou player! Led with shoulder and hit the guy in the chest!#ARKvsMIZ
— Erik (@eriknaquin14) December 5, 2020
Complete embarrassment to the game of football! No way this is targeting. That is a shoulder to chest hit and a complete screw job by @SECOfficiating. Not to mention a catch two steps and a fumble that they blew on the same play. https://t.co/9EJB3oY30I
— Dusty Craft (@CoachCraftSTJ) December 5, 2020
Here’s the hit. This should be on every highlight tape for how to react to a guy crossing the middle and using your shoulder to engage below the head. Instead he’s ejected. Disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/R39Px67PA9
— T.J. Moe (@TJMoe28) December 5, 2020
I mean I thought it was a shoulder to shoulder hit but ya know Catalan was tossed for less so I think we can all agree @SECOfficiating is just bad. hate it for the Missouri player that he got the short end of the stick but as hog fans we can empathize with how mizzou fans feel rn
— Montana Knight (@montanamknight) December 5, 2020
I look forward to the BS YouTube video @SECOfficiating puts out next week trying to explain that call. That’s mind-boggling to *uphold after review.*
— TOM MARTIN (@LetItFlyTom) December 5, 2020
Arkansas fans can certainly relate. Their star DB, Jalen Catalon, will take the field in the second half after a questionable ejection for targeting during the second half against LSU a couple of weeks ago.
Can the Tigers overcome the loss of their defensive leader? We’ll find out in the second half.
