Sports

Controversial Hit To Shedeur Sanders’ Head Is The Perfect Example Of College Football’s Targeting Problem

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Shedeur Sanders Targeting Controversy
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Shedeur Sanders took a hit to the head during Colorado’s win over Colorado State in Fort Collins on Saturday night. The defender was not called for targeting even though it was a textbook targeting play.

College football officials are so inconsistent with this specific penalty that there is simply no way to know what is right and what is wrong at this point.

Lets start in Gainesville. Florida defensive back Trikweze Bridges was ejected from the contest against Texas A&M for targeting during the second half. He got downfield on a short pass to the flat and tackled Noah Thomas — around the waist — while the wide receiver was in the air.

Upon further review, it was ruled that Bridges led with the crown of his helmet and launched. Southeastern Conference officials threw him out of the game as a result. Regardless of whether the call was right or wrong, the decision stood. The cornerback was ejected for targeting.

Now with that in mind, let’s take a look at the Buffaloes just a few hours later.

Rams defensive lineman Andrew Laurich crashed down on Shedeur Sanders just before halftime. He got to the quarterback one, if not two, full seconds after the ball had been released. His helmet initiated contact.

Laurich was not called for targeting. Mountain West officials decided not remove him from the game. Nor did they issue a foul on Colorado State.

Even Gene Steratore, who never disagrees with the call on the field, was surprised by the decision. He saw it as a textbook targeting penalty where a defender led with his helmet and made contact with a defenseless player without the ball.

The disparity between the call in Florida and the no-call in Colorado is very confusing. Laurich’s hit was not ruled as targeting. Bridges’ hit was ruled as targeting.

Why? What’s the difference?

College football has a targeting problem and what we saw on Saturday is the perfect example. It is perhaps the most confusing rule in sports.