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NFL rules analysts, Sun Devils all believe Longhorns should have been called for targeting late in Peach Bowl

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brian Davis | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 12:26 PM ET

Longtime NFL officials took a hard look at Michael Taaffe’s jarring hit in the Peach Bowl and came to a unanimous conclusion — the Longhorns’ safety should have been called for targeting.

Granted, it’s immaterial now. Replay officials looked at the hit on the field and determined Taaffe did not commit targeting on Arizona State’s Melquan Stovall with 1:10 remaining.

Had the call gone against the Longhorns, the Sun Devils would have received a first down and favorable field position at a moment they were driving for the win.

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Instead, Taaffe got to stay in the game and Arizona State was forced to punt facing fourth-and-5 from its own 48-yard line. Texas won 39-31 in double overtime.

“To be clear: 1. He took aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. 2. He led with his head. 3. He made forcible contact to the head/neck area of a defenseless receiver using his helmet. That's the rule,” former NFL official and current NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay posted on X.

To be clear:

1. He took aim at an opponent for purposes
of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball.
2. He led with his head.
3. He made forcible contact to the head/neck area of a defenseless receiver using his… https://t.co/oEAot8DGB8
— Terry McAulay (@tjmcaulay) January 1, 2025

My phone has been burning up all morning.

Yes, this should have been a flag for targeting in #TEXvsASU. It meets all of the criteria of targeting (Rule 9-1-4). pic.twitter.com/tv5HPIQgd0
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 2, 2025

Gene Steratore, NFL rules analyst for CBS Sports, had a similar view.

“My phone has been burning up all morning,” Steratore posted. “Yes, this should have been a flag for targeting in #TEXvsASU. It meets all of the criteria of targeting (Rule 9-1-4).”

After the game, Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham was beside himself. “I’m going to be honest, I don’t know what targeting is,” Dillingham said.

“We lost one of our best players in the first half for targeting, and I just don’t know what it is. So, I don’t want to comment on something that I have to get a better grasp of what it is because I just don’t quite understand it. I do want to protect the players though. So whatever rules that are put in place to protect the players, I’m all about.”

On Thursday, ASU running back Cam Skattebo let his feelings be known on The Dan Patrick Show.

“No matter who you’re playing against, I feel like anybody should be protected,” Skattebo said. “I felt that was a little biased, but whatever they call is what we’re going to rock with.”

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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