Dan Lanning reveals what Big Ten told him on controversial targeting decision in Penn State game

One of the most controversial plays in the Oregon vs. Penn State game came on a potential targeting call at a key juncture. Officials ruled it a no-call after reviewing the footage.

On the play in question, linebacker Amare Campbell for Penn State hit Oregon receiver Jayden Limar near the head. After review, officials determined it wasn’t targeting.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning weighed in on the call on Wednesday. And after coming out with the win he didn’t seem overly concerned that the call didn’t go his way during the game. He revealed what he was told about the call.

“Yeah, basically what was explained to me is there’s a difference in college rule and the NFL rule as far as the head contact,” Lanning said. “I think it’s something that will be addressed hopefully in the future, probably a rule that needs to be re-established. But again, it’s about was there contact with the crown of the helmet from the defender? And that’s wasn’t necessarily… it didn’t happen.”

Several other parties have chimed in on the potential targeting call from the game, which was a blockbuster affair between Oregon and Penn State. The game likely set the early tone for the Big Ten race.

So it was a huge contest. Getting calls like that right is key.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule was also watching intently during his team’s bye week. And what he saw indicated the refs are trying to do the right thing.

“I think they’re trying to call less,” Rhule said. “I think the penalty is so severe I think they’ve really changed. Obviously it’s the, I watched one game, I think it was an ACC game and they were screaming that he was defenseless but he wasn’t. So there’s still a place for big hits in football.

“You hit with the crown of your head then obviously you understand. Then they’ve changed what the crown is. It used to be (towards the facemask) was the crown, but now it’s not. So they’ve defined it. They’ve defined what defenseless is. You get your second step in the ground and make a football move, it’s that.”

Rhule and Lanning seemed to agree on one thing when it comes to targeting. The rule needs some tweaking still.

“It’s kind of like, they talked at one point about a Flagrant 1, Flagrant 2,” Rhule said. “Because if a guy has to leave a game that’s quite a deal. In the NFL they go back and they watch it on the tape and if they think it was a malicious hit they fine you. You can’t really do that in college.

“But I like where targeting’s at. I can’t speak on those specific plays, I had four games going at once on the YouTube thing. I saw that play, but I don’t know the other one.”