The College Football Playoff between Ohio State and Clemson turned a year ago when Trevor Lawrence was clocked by the Buckeyes’ Shaun Wade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvboRs0X8Co
Could history have repeated itself in reverse in the 2021 Sugar Bowl?
Watch as Clemson’s James Skalski, a defensive leader, earns an ejection for targeting with a shot on Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields.
James Skalski was called for targeting and ejected after this hit on Justin Fields. pic.twitter.com/0oqTQCTEDi
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2021
Fields went out and returned, to throw a touchdown pass. He hobbled off the field in considerable pain after the hit.
Justin Fields doesn’t need ribs
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2021
After the TD pass, Fields was 12-of-13 for 172 yards and 3 TDs.
Skalski was ejected from the College Football Playoff championship game last season for another targeting foul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8KUkN5w9ds
There was a buzz on social media over the decision to call targeting and bounce Skalski.
That’s ain’t Targeting
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp) January 2, 2021
For the “keep your head up” and “see what you hit” crowd tell me where this hit would’ve been had he kept going straight. That’s right, head to head. What’s he supposed to do? Stand up and hit him with his chest? No, that’s leaving your feet and launching. Dive at his ankles? pic.twitter.com/eQb9FO3H5w
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) January 2, 2021
This targeting rule is outrageous.
Sure Penalize, and at least give a warnings.
But an instant ejections is just dumb.
— Will Blackmon 🍷 (@WillBlackmon) January 2, 2021
I feel sick for Skalski
That was a football hit. Not dirty, no head hunting. No trash talking after.
The rule is flawed.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 2, 2021
Letter of the law, yes https://t.co/jBI2s5bbqb
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) January 2, 2021