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In the second quarter of the SEC Championship, SEC sack leader and Missouri defensive end Shane Ray was ejected for targeting when he unloaded a vicious hit on Alabama quarterback Blake Sims after he released the football.
RELATED: Watch Shane Ray’s hit on Blake Sims
The potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft vehemently disagreed with the ejection and expressed his frustrations to the media following the 42-13 blowout loss.
Shane Ray defiantly disagreed with his penalty. “I’m not a dirty player.”
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014
Shane Ray: “I was two steps within the quarterback. I made a hit as soon as he released the ball. I led with my hands.” (more) — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014
Shane Ray: “If there was any ill intent there I would have led with my helmet and tried to make a harder hit. But there wasn’t.” (more)
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014
Ray: “I played legally within what I was supposed to do. The call was made by the (officials).” — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014
Ray said against a shorter QB like Sims, defenders have to aim lower. He still disagreed with the call. “Don’t leave it up to the referees.”
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014
Without its best defensive player, Missouri’s defensive line and the defensive unit as a whole struggled to contain the Crimson Tide, who racked up 42 points and 504 total yards of offense.
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