Making a serious comeback late in the fourth quarter, ASU saw a game-changing non-call made by the referees which could have cost the Sun Devils the Peach Bowl.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Just when Arizona State had the momentum, wide receiver Melquan Stovall caught a pass at midfield and took a brutal hit to the helmet by Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe and was dazed.
If THIS isn’t a foul, the NCAA should eliminate its targeting rule altogether. What an embarrassment. Hope Melquan Stovall is okay. pic.twitter.com/XWuThNjRwW
— Dan Molloy (@DanMolloyTV) January 1, 2025
After an official review, they declared there was no targeting on the play and the team, college football analysts, fans and others were stunned by the ruling.
Here are some of what the reactions were to the head-scratching no-call.
That is a disgrace.
If that’s not targeting, what is?#ASU #Texas— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 1, 2025
If that’s not targeting do away with the rule
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) January 1, 2025
In a football world of targeting…
That was the most insane non-targeting call of all time
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) January 1, 2025
10000% targeting on that play. Can’t possibly miss that.#CFAPeachBowl // #ForksUp vs #HookEm
— Nick Grunewald (@iamnickgrune) January 1, 2025
ESPN put the call in to the refs #ForksUp
— Matt (@cfc_fielder) January 1, 2025
How the hell is that NOT targeting?! Are they not watching the same thing we are?! #forksup
— David (@DKathary_) January 1, 2025
That’s textbook targeting!!!!!!
Head to head
Led with crown of helmet
Defenseless player
Checks ALL 3 boxes. What’s there to discuss!?!? #PeachBowl #ForksUp
— Matt Garrett (@Matt44G) January 1, 2025
Terrible call! That was 100% a dangerous targeting hit! Terrible! #ForksUp
— Patrick Kaplan 23-15-0 (@PatrickKaplan13) January 1, 2025
If that’s not targeting then get rid of the f’n rule cause that is 10000% targeting #Forksup #HookEm #CFBPlayoff
— Joe (@gi_joe2171) January 1, 2025
That is 100% a targeting penalty. Arizona State would be given an automatic first down setting them up in Longhorn territory for a game winning field goal.
WOW! #forksup #HornsDown— MN PRODS (@MNprods) January 1, 2025
If this isn’t targeting after the review then there should be a riot in Tempe. #Forksup
— Football Dude (@Football_Dude84) January 1, 2025
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
