When Clemson and LSU played in the 2019-20 national championship game, Clemson’s James Skalski was ejected for targeting. And now, for his second straight game in the College Football Playoff, the star linebacker was kicked out of the game for targeting.
With about six minutes remaining in the second quarter of Friday’s second College Football Playoff semifinal, the Sugar Bowl, Skalski led with his head as he dealt Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields a brutal hit on a 3rd-and-13 play. Fields appeared to be injured by the tackle — though it didn’t stop him from continuing to play — and officials reviewed the play before determining that this was targeting and ejecting Skalski.
College football rules dictate that if a player leads with the crown of his helmet while making contact, it’s targeting.
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James Skalski was called for targeting and ejected after this hit on Justin Fields. pic.twitter.com/0oqTQCTEDi
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2021
James Skalski’s ejection is the right call via the rulebook’s terms.
"No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown of his helmet” is part of what the rule says.
If you’re upset that Skalski was tossed, take it up with the rulebook. pic.twitter.com/ukAXacEjXJ
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) January 2, 2021
Skalski’s ejection is a big loss for Clemson’s defense. And to make matters worse for the Tigers, Fields returned and quickly threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Olave, giving the Buckeyes a 28-14 lead. Despite being seven-point underdogs in this playoff game, they went into halftime with a 35-14 lead over the Tigers.
Targeting calls, and their subsequent immediate ejections, continue to be a contentious topic among college football fans, leading to heated debates and often deserved criticism of the rules. And Skalski’s hit on Fields was no different for college football Twitter.
Some people absolutely believe that was targeting, some think it absolutely was not. But plenty of people just used this Sugar Bowl moment to air their grievances about the rulebook itself and demand adjustments to the targeting rule.
This is straight B.S. for the second straight year in the playoffs this kid from @ClemsonFB named Skalski is ejected for “Targeting.” What is the guy suppose to do? Stand straight up and tackle? I mean, come on! What B.S. I feel so bad for that kid. Why even play defense.#Damn!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 2, 2021
The rule is the rule, and it's designed to protect the defensive player as well as the offensive. But I don't think targeting should include leading with the crown of the helmet below the neck. Skalski's hit on Fields was a good football play on a QB who didn't give himself up.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 2, 2021
I hate the targeting call in college football period it should not be an automatic ejection. And that was a routine good tackle by Skalski https://t.co/l44zBa3BmI
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) 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
Targeting rules need revamping. Skalski shouldn’t have been ejected. Wade shouldn’t have been ejected last year. Penalty, sure. Ejection is just too severe when these are split second plays. Neither play was dirty.
— Pypeline (@Pypeline_) January 2, 2021
Massive open field hit. Really hope Fields is ok. He spun into that helmet. I get Skalski’s crown of helmet is down, but thats just crazy to me. If Fields doesn’t spin last second, that helmet is right on the side.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 2, 2021
James Skalski called for targeting and now I don't really know what targeting is anymore
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) January 2, 2021
Oh man that is a HUGE DQ on the targeting call but a good call by the officials
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) January 2, 2021
How the hell was Skalski ejected for this? Seems like a pretty clean tackle to me. #Clemson pic.twitter.com/WyAaqyFrBB
— Mike Gillespie (@MikeABCColumbia) January 2, 2021
That James Skalski hit on Justin Fields was big, looked painful in real time, yet not for a second did I think it was targeting.
Even looking at replays and listening to the rule, I'm having a tough time understanding that one.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 2, 2021
Skalski needed to be ejected. That’s not a safe play at all. He’s lucky to be able to walk back to the locker room.
— Femi Abebefe (@FemiAbebefe) January 2, 2021
Weird call. But he needs to get his head up. It's pretty much that simple. https://t.co/VP4VheZE2A
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 2, 2021
If this is targeting then you need to change the rules.
Skalski makes a perfect football tackle.
Fields doesn’t slide, spin moves into Skalski at full speed. What do you want him to do? pic.twitter.com/J8cBgm1iTA
— SAVAGE BOSTON🍀 (@SavageBoston) January 2, 2021
Holy crap, I just booked an appointment with my chiropractor from watching that hit on Justin Fields. pic.twitter.com/aR6DJWMc6b
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) January 2, 2021
Skalski is ejected for targeting. He deserves that.
— Carrie Lynn (@OSUFAN4U2NV) January 2, 2021
Feel bad for Skalski because he is genuinely not a dirty player—hard, heart and soul, Boulware type guy— but not dirty. Last year was an absolute targeting, this one, he was hurt by the rule— there has to be a difference between a penalty, and an ejection on targeting.
— Scott Eisberg (@SEisbergWCIV) January 2, 2021
Why the targeting rule sucks.
Skalski was lined up to lead with his shoulder until Fields spun into the targeting.
Still targeting by rule, but the ejection is kinda BS. pic.twitter.com/cyGjtQ1MSa
— Adam Eargle (@adameargle) January 2, 2021
