Texas Longhorns Advance Thanks To Friendly Call from Officials
Texas Longhorns Off to the Semifinals
It was one of the best games of the 2024 College Football Playoff as the Texas Longhorns took on the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl. The Longhorns were up 24-8 and needed double overtime to win 39-31 over the Sun Devils.
However, while the game was thrilling and exciting after the first half, which saw Texas build a big lead, everyone was talking about the non-targeting call that kept the Longhorns in the game as Arizona State was driving with less than two minutes in the game.
It was third and 15 for the Sun Devils, and quarterback Sam Leavitt hit Melquan Stovall for a 10-yard gain. However, at the same time, it appeared Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe led with the crown of his helmet and hit Stovall in his helmet.
The officials originally did not call Taaffe for targeting. However, as you can see by clicking here, they reviewed the case to determine whether the hit was legal.
During the review, ESPN’s rules analyst Matt Austin told viewers watching the receiver was defenseless, adding he "wouldn't be surprised if the called targeting from the booth."
However, the officials upheld the call on the field and deemed Taaffe’s hit legal. Arizona State head coach Kyle Dillingham was visibly upset with the Big Ten officiating crew on the field and wasn't happy with their explanation of why the hit was not targeted.
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This call altered the momentum Arizona State had gained in the game. They came back from 24-8 down to tie it at 24-24.
Instead of a fresh set of downs deep inside Longhorn territory, the Sun Devils were forced to punt on 4th and 5 at midfield. Lucky for the Sun Devils, Longhorns kicker Bert Austin missed his second kick of the fourth quarter.
The game went into overtime. Cam Skattebo, who was a monster in the game but was ill on the sideline, had another monster game. He had 130 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown in the first overtime. He also threw for a touchdown and ran for another earlier in the game.
However, on 4th and 13, with the game in the balance, Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers struck a wide-open Matt Golden to tie the game. Ewers then hit Gunnar Helm to open the second overtime period, giving the Longhorns a 39-31 lead.
The Longhorns ended the game with an interception of Leavitt to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.
Though Dillingham took the blame for the loss and the protection on the 4th and 13th call in overtime, it should have never gotten to that point. Arizona State should have won the game in regulation.
If targeting is a rule, then it should be cut and dry, not subjective. The rule should be applied to all situations and circumstances in a game. Targeting cost Ohio State years ago against Clemson in a semifinal game.
Clearly, in the biggest moment of the game, the officials decided to let the kids play when it was clear that they were targeting Texas.
While the Longhorns advanced, winning a thriller, the non-targeting call is all anyone is talking about. This is a shame because it was a classic.