The NCAA says they want to do everything they can to protect players, especially when it comes to head injuries, but it is really hard to do that when clear targeting penalties aren't called during games.
In the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Arizona State is playing Texas, and it has truly been an up-and-down game for the Sun Devils. The Big 12 Champions were down 16 points to the SEC runner-up in the Peach Bowl Quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff in the fourth quarter. It seemed as though the Longhorns were going to run away with the game until Arizona State's best player, running back Cam Skattebo did what he does best, make the biggest plays of the game.
The Sun Devils were able to make the 16-point comeback to tie the game with five minutes left on the clock. It all started with Skattebo throwing a 42-yard touchdown pass to spark the Arizona state offense.
After a missed 48-yard field goal by Texas's kicker, Arizona State had a chance to go down and put points on the board just before time expired to win the game. A false start penalty put the Sun Devils behind the sticks, setting up a 3rd-and-15 play.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt dropped back to pass and was able to get it 10 yards down the field to wide receiver Melquan Stovall. Stovall made an amazing catch on a tipped ball, but as he came down to turn and run up the field, he was met by Texas defender Michael Taaffe and it did not look like a good hit.
After a replay, it was clear that there should have been a flag thrown for targeting Taaffe's hit on Stovall, who was still lying on the ground from the big hit. The clock stopped for an injury, which allowed the refs to come together and hear from the booth for a review for a targeting penalty.
ESPN commentators Jesse Palmer and Joe Tessitore both thought targeting would be confirmed, along with everyone in the building.
After about a minute of looking at the play, it was announced that there was no call for targeting, which meant Arizona State would have to punt the ball away on 4th-and-5 so as not to give Texas the ball at midfield with a minute left if they didn't convert.
This was an absolute gift of a no-call for Texas as it didn't give the Sun Devils a first down and 15 yards, which could have set up what would have been a game-winning field for Ariznoa State had they made it.
Instead, the game has gone into overtime, keeping Texas alive.