Colorado already had its hands full against No. 25 UCLA Saturday evening—the Bruins are a Chip Kelly-coached team, after all, and the Buffaloes have hardly been airtight on defense this season.
However, one particular play in the first half thinned out Colorado’s defense even further. With 3:18 left in the second quarter, Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders laid a massive hit on UCLA running back Carsen Ryan. As he celebrated, the officials flagged him for targeting and he was promptly ejected from the game.
Sanders’s ejection drew a highly negative response from college football fans and observers—many of whom believed Sanders delivered a clean, if violent, hit.
Fanning the flames was ESPN commentator and former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, who asked, “WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GAME WE LOVE?”
Shilo Sanders got thrown out the game for this hit that was ruled targeting.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 29, 2023
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GAME WE LOVE? pic.twitter.com/jfFSaWCmJS
Many wondered how Sanders was supposed to tackle Ryan in this situation.
SMH I don’t even know how you play defense anymore. https://t.co/G7MdY3JVcq
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) October 29, 2023
The inconsistency of the targeting rule was singled out as a college football-wide problem.
college football remains the dumbest thing in the sports world https://t.co/xfGUQVStAC
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) October 29, 2023
The usual “flag football” accusations flew.
Looks like we will be playing flag football soon. @NCAA @NCAAReferees you guys need to do better! https://t.co/l6qY7z79xQ
— JR Conkright (@COACH_JRC) October 29, 2023
Number one draft pick in flag football https://t.co/fPwuD6unw7
— Mr Shadow is coming (@ThePrblmSlvr) October 29, 2023
A recurrent case against Sanders’s ejection was the fact that he appeared to lead with his shoulder, while the targeting rule is intended to punish defenders who lead with their head.
Shilo clearly led with his shoulder, the tight-end is like 6’6 so of course his helmet is gonna be chin level with Shilo…….BAD CALL https://t.co/O4oGqkuh2q
— BillyDaKid (@billythatman) October 29, 2023
Another reaction pointed to the fact that Ryan appeared to turn upfield, which would make him a ballcarrier and thus change how the play would be officiated.
he caught the ball and made a football move before getting hit. terrible call. https://t.co/uBgA2tG7Yd
— Roy Bellamy (@roybelly) October 29, 2023
And some viewers, as always, had jokes.
Another defensive player tragically fails to disappear in plain sight. Sad. There’s children watching. https://t.co/yyie9ufcyN
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) October 29, 2023
