Report: Derek Williams to serve targeting suspension in first half of Sugar Bowl after appeal denied

Texas safety Derek Williams will miss the first half of the Sugar Bowl against Washington due to a targeting call in the second half of the Big 12 title game, per Chip Brown.

Williams was ejected from the game and the program elected to appeal this week. However, that was denied, per Brown. 

With that, Williams won’t be able to take the field until the second half against a high powered Huskies offense.

On the opening kickoff of the second half, Williams was ejected for targeting when he hit a defenseless Oklahoma State player coming across the field.

Williams has been an impact player for the Longhorns this season, playing in the majority of the team’s games and making some nice contributions. He had logged 38 tackles, 1.0 tackles for a loss and two pass breakups heading into the Big 12 Championship Game.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Williams was a four-star recruit out of New Iberia (La.) Westgate, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 6 safety in the class and the No. 62 overall prospect in the class.

Steve Sarkisian describes feeling with Texas making CFP

Well, that Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal against Washington and Michael Penix Jr. just got a little more difficult without Williams. But, it’s still a landmark achievement to get to this point, according to head coach Steve Sarkisian.

“I think our players kind of exuded all of the emotions we had,” Sarkisian said. “When you don’t know, which is always the difficult part when there is a committee and you’re not an undefeated team, there’s always going to be that nervousness and anxiety because you just don’t know what the discussions are in that room.”

Texas won its first Big 12 title since 2009 this season. That 2009 season was also the last time that the Longhorns were a competitor for the national championship, playing in the BCS National Championship Game that season.

“I think you just saw the excitement from our players, our fanbase, everyone involved. This has been a heck of a journey for us, so to earn a seat at the table, to be in this tournament, is one that we’re humbled by but excited for as well.”