Peach Bowl officials blow huge targeting call vs. Texas safety Michael Taaffe

Arizona State should have had a first down with a chance to win the game in regulation

Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) pulls on the helmet of Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) during the second half of the Peach Bowl. / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Bad college football officiating reared its ugly head late in Arizona State's College Football Playoff quarterfinal vs. Texas on New Year's Day.

With the game tied 24-24 and just over one minute to play, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt completed a 10-yard pass to wide receiver Melquan Stovall over the middle. Stovall was immediately hit by Texas safety Michael Taafe.

• GAME RECAP: TEXAS 39, ARIZONA STATE 31

The play left Arizona State with a 4th-and-5 at their own 48-yard line with 1:08 to play.

But after they showed the replay on TV, Taafe hammered Stovall with his helmet, effectively knocking him out. It was as clear of a helmet-to-helmet hit as it gets.

Somehow, after reviewing the play, the officials did not call targeting. The targeting call that should have been made would have given the Sun Devils a first down in Texas territory, with a chance to drive for a game-winning field goal.

Instead, ASU was forced to punt the ball back to Texas. The Longhorns drove down to the Arizona State 19-yard line and missed a 38-yard field goal as time expired.

Texas went on to win the game in double overtime, 39-31.

"To be honest I don't know what targeting is," Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said after the game. "We lost one of our best players in the first half [Shamari Simmons] for targeting and I just don't know what it is, so I don't want to comment on something that I have to get a better grasp of what it is. ... I just don't quite understand it."

Watch the missed targeting call:

Why have a targeting rule if you are going to call obvious targeting in the biggest games?
How could they look at this and deem it not targeting???
pic.twitter.com/GhJVMHAvMy

— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) January 1, 2025

The reaction on social media was met far and wide with criticism of the officials.

I have watched every college football game that matters — and tons that don’t — for the entire targeting era. How is this not targeting? Legit would love to hear this explained. It’s textbook. pic.twitter.com/yjNOtnoEX4

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 1, 2025

100% targeting, horse shit to not call it

AWFUL pic.twitter.com/gPey4XgKvh

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 1, 2025

Hello America.

Allow me to introduce you to B1G refs.
They do what they want. For the outcome they (tv networks) want.
That’s why this is “not targeting.”pic.twitter.com/xlV7vA8mO1

— Ray Cotto (@All22_Ray) January 1, 2025

HOW ON EARTH IS THIS NOT TARGETING???? pic.twitter.com/sHOJZwmY0X

— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) January 1, 2025

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