Very early in Sunday night’s prime-time matchup between Miami and LSU, Hurricanes defensive back Trajan Bandy was tossed for targeting.
Bandy made a huge hit that resulted in a fumble, which LSU recovered. After the Tigers ran one more play, officials stopped the game to review the previous hit and determined that Bandy had incurred a targeting penalty.
To be fair, what Bandy did was absolutely targeting by definition.
Automatic ejection is the dumbest rule in college football. Eject after a 2nd targeting pic.twitter.com/yhaf6VR2ah
— Andrew Doughty (@DoughtyBetMGM) September 2, 2018
That said, fans across the nation were frustrated, to say the least, about the development.
Ejections for targeting is the stupidest rule ever. So you’re gonna throw a kid out of a game because he is aiming his face mask on the football and the runner ducks down to protect himself? Rule is trash
— Helga (@joey_mart) September 3, 2018
I totally understand the message they’re attempting to deliver in terms of the importance of targeting… I sometimes just wish there was another alternative instead of ejection. #LSUvsMiami
— Jasher®️ (@jashercox) September 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/TBrockFL/status/1036403532621074432
I hate the targeting penalty. By the rule that is targeting. Just hate the rule. Especially the ejection. Give 15 yards and move on. There was no ill intent by Bandy.
— Sweep The Leg (@SweepTheLeg337) September 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/claytondbaird/status/1036403680608694274
https://twitter.com/DaultonHatley/status/1036403616544903168
Tossing kids out of games is ridiculous. Least favorite rule in sports. It’s beyond over the top
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) September 2, 2018
I don’t even recognite football anymore. No clue how defenders are supposed to play. The defender is trying to drive the WR backwards and the WR lowers his body. It’s unreal how sensitive the game is being called in college and pros.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) September 2, 2018