
A missed targeting call may have drastically impacted Saturday's Battle Line Rivalry game between Arkansas and Missouri.
With Missouri leading 23-17 in the fourth quarter, Arkansas QB Taylen Green gained five yards on a second-and-10 scramble. But it appeared that Missouri's Josiah Trotter led with his helmet and made contact with Green's head on the tackle.
I am blown away one of the most blatant examples of targeting - on a QB also - was completely ignored by this officiating crew. And two plays later a huge punt return, plus a 2-point conversion. Meanwhile, 17 flags thrown against Arkansas (5 declined). 31-17 Missouri #wps
— Trey Biddy (@TreyBiddy) November 29, 2025
A flag for targeting was not thrown. Green was sacked on the next play, which led to an Arkansas punt and a subsequent punt return touchdown for Missouri that essentially iced the game.
"I tried to get them (officials) to review that play and see if they would call upstairs and see about it, and they just ignored me," Arkansas interim head coach Bobby Petrino said about the play in his postgame news conference. "Guys upstairs said it definitely was a targeting, no question about it."
"Taylen's had a tough time all year," Petrino continued. "Going into the year, you always get these little packets that say, 'in the SEC, we're going to emphasize protecting quarterbacks.' I didn't think they lived up to it very well."
Had the play been deemed targeting, Arkansas would've extended the drive with a first down and had a chance to drive down the field and take the lead in the fourth quarter.
Arkansas was flagged for 16 penalties for 121 yards on Saturday, while Missouri incurred only five penalties for 45 yards.
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