AUSTIN, Texas _ When Torii Hunter Jr. became the hunted, officials' whistles stayed silent and a great majority of the 102,315 jammed into Darrell K. Royal Stadium roared in approval.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly roared too _ at the officiating crew.
Kelly was befuddled and beside himself because a targeting penalty wasn't called _ or even considered for review by the replay crew _ against Texas' DeShon Elliott with 30 seconds left in the third quarter of the Irish's 50-47, double-overtime loss.
Elliott appeared to lead with his helmet against Hunter's helmet, jarring the ball loose on what would have been a go-ahead, 19-yard touchdown pass from DeShone Kizer.
An NCAA rule instituted this season allows replay officials to review potential targeting plays.
In lieu of a review from the game crew, Kelly said Notre Dame sent video of the hit to the Atlantic Coast Conference, which he said Monday deemed the hit "most likely" a target.
"We just don't understand why it wasn't reviewed by the Big 12," Kelly said. "I guess they're going to be reaching out to them to find out why it wasn't reviewed. Win or lose, player safety should be at the front of this game, and we don't believe that was the case in this instance."
In a since-deleted tweet, Hunter's father, former major-league baseball player Torii Hunter, wrote late Sunday that his son "is doing ok. Little concussion but can't keep a Hunter down. #targeting"
Hunter, who had four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown before leaving Sunday's game, will go through concussion protocol this week.
Kelly said Monday it was "too early to tell" whether Hunter or safety Avery Sebastian will be available Saturday against Nevada in South Bend, Ind. Sebastian was knocked out of the game after trying to tackle Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes in overtime.
