Controversial Big Hit Ruled As Targeting Forces Arizona State Star To Miss First Half Of Playoff Game

Arizona State defensive back Shamari Simmons will miss the first half of his next college football game as a result of a controversial targeting penalty during the Big 12 Championship. Unfortunately, that next game will be the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The Sun Devils are going to play the first 30 minutes of their first-ever Playoff appearance without one of their best players because he made forcibly contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent.

Per the NCAA, targeting is defined as any hit that “goes beyond making a legal tackle or legal block or playing the ball.” It is a subjective penalty, but four key indicators of targeting are outlined in the college football rulebook:

• Launch — a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area.
• A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground.
• Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
• Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.

Arizona State was called for targeting.

Simmons, a 6-foot-0, 195-pound heat-seeking missile, went untouched into the Iowa State backfield during the second half. He laid a vicious hit on Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht. The booming collision echoed throughout AT&T Stadium.