CFP ‘wants to handle’ officiating after targeting…
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is asking for change after a controversial ruling by officers during Wednesday’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl created large debate within the faculty soccer world.
The targeting no-call on a hit by Texas security Michael Taaffe on Arizona State receiver Melquan Stovall has been the discuss of the College Football Playoff since Texas defeated ASU, 39-31, in double time beyond regulation.
Yormark, who was the CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment for 14 years, praised ASU’s efficiency during the 2024 season earlier than calling for “national standards” when it got here to officiating.
My telephone has been burning up all morning.Yes, this could have been a flag for targeting in #TEXvsASU. It meets all of the factors of targeting (Rule 9-1-4). pic.twitter.com/tv5HPIQgd0— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 2, 2025
Arizona State extensive receiver Melquan Stovall (5) is tackled by Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) after a catch during the fourth quarter within the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The play was reviewed for targeting however was not referred to as. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Images
“As a member of the College Football Playoff Management Committee, I have had multiple discussions seeking clarity surrounding the targeting call on Arizona State’s final drive of the 4th quarter with [CFP executive director] Richard Clark,” Yormark stated in a assertion. “Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiating to ensure national standards are developed. These standards will be crucial to the CFP’s future, and I look forward to discussing them with my fellow committee members when we meet next.”
The play occurred late within the fourth quarter of a thrilling sport between the Sun Devils, who’re of their first 12 months within the Big 12, and the Longhorns, who left the convention for the SEC after the 2023 season.
Taaffe made the hit on Stovall and appeared to join with Stovall’s head together with his facemask.
While the officers did review the play, they didn’t call a penalty for targeting, which might have given ASU the ball on the Texas 37-yard line and a contemporary set of downs.
Instead, the Sun Devils had to punt the ball.
Arizona State Sun Devils extensive receiver Melquan Stovall (5) goes down after a collision within the fourth quarter because the Texas Longhorns play the Arizona State Sun Devils within the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Jan. 1, 2025. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Images
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark responds to questions during a information convention earlier than the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA faculty soccer sport between Iowa State and Arizona State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. AP
The incontrovertible fact that the officers didn’t throw a flag has drawn ire from soccer followers and analysts, together with CBS Sports guidelines analyst Gene Steratore, who posted on X that the play ought to have been flagged for targeting.
NBC guidelines analyst Terry McAuley additionally criticized the choice in a number of posts on social media.
“I’ve seen dozens of comments from people who think there is no indicator, and they all seem to leave out “leading with the helmet”, which is precisely what he did,” he wrote in a single post earlier than saying it’s a systemic subject that goes past the CFP.
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