WATCH: Auburn safety ends career with targeting call in Birmingham Bowl
Auburn’s defense took a huge blow late in the third quarter of the Birmingham Bowl on Tuesday.
Tigers safety Smoke Monday was ejected for targeting with 2:28 left in the third quarter against Houston. Earlier in the game, the referees called targeting on Monday before a review and ruled it “incidental contact.”
Former referee and current NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay weighed in on the call, saying the officials got it right. He also criticized the decision to overturn the first targeting call.
“[He] lowers his head (again), leads with the crown and makes forcible contact using the crown,” McAulay tweeted. “Unfortunate for the 2nd player that was illegally contacted in the head by the same player.”
The ejection marked the end of Monday’s career with Auburn. He entered the game with 58 total tackles, including 40 solo stops, two sacks and an interception on the year. Monday was a big part of the Auburn defense and a leader for the Tigers in the locker room.
Inside Smoke Monday’s career at Auburn
During his four years with Auburn, Monday had 166 tackles, six sacks and five interceptions — three of which he turned into pick-sixes. His absence leaves a hole on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers.
He declared for the NFL Draft last week, but said he’d play in the Birmingham Bowl for his final game in a Tigers uniform.
Auburn went 6-6 this season in Bryan Harsin’s first season with the Tigers after coming in from Boise State. The Tigers nearly pulled off a season-ending upset of Alabama in the Iron Bowl, but Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young led the Crimson Tide to a comeback victory in four overtimes.
Houston, which entered Tuesday as the No. 20 team in the nation, scored on the first drive of the Birmingham Bowl. But Auburn took over and led 13-10 after three quarters.