This is the kind of thing which can turn a game and a season. It’s also a product of a bad rule which is poorly enforced and implemented.
USC safety Calen Bullock, who had been playing well this season and had been part of a USC secondary which had not allowed a long-ball pass over the top of the defense, was ejected for targeting in the first half of the Trojans’ game against Washington State on Saturday evening.
Bullock was ejected for a thunderous hit in the second quarter. The hit was relatively high, but he did not lead with the helmet or hit the helmet of the Washington State receiver. The hit certainly wasn’t cheap or malicious. It was part of the play, a natural reaction. You can see Bullock drive through with his shoulders and with his arms to the side. It certainly wasn’t spearing or headhunting, and he had a very small hitting zone to begin with. One is not sure what to tell Bullock how he should have hit the receiver on this play:
He made a good reaction, figured out where the play was going, and stopped the receiver with a solid stick.
His reward? An ejection:
Calen Bullock ejected for targeting on this play. Thoughts? #USC pic.twitter.com/OODuIoQW9r
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) October 9, 2022
Right after the ejection, his replacement, Anthony Beavers, gave up the long ball USC has successfully prevented this season. The Trojans fell behind 14-10. We’ll see just how costly this ejection turns out to be.
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