UCLA player ejected for targeting, will miss first half against Utah

UCLA received a targeting penalty in the third quarter against Oregon, and the player ejected will miss the first half of their next game against Utah. On an Oregon pass for 29 yards to wide receiver Mycah Pittman, UCLA defensive back Cameron Johnson was called for targeting on a helmet-to-helmet hit.

UCLA’s Cameron Johnson to miss time against Utah

On a long pass completion to Pittman in the center of the field, the UCLA defense attempted to drag Pittman down and the play went towards the sideline. Johnson was already in position to make a hit and lowered his helmet to deliver the blow. Johnson’s helmet hit directly into Pittman’s helmet, and while Pittman did not go down from the tackle referee’s called the targeting penalty.

The penalty was called in the second half of the game, so Johnson was ejected for the second half against Oregon and will miss the first half against Utah.

Controversial tackle by Oregon not penalized

On a punt attempt by UCLA on the following drive, the punter bobbled the snap and Oregon forced a fumble, as UCLA fans called for a penalty for an illegal tackle as the punter’s helmet was ripped off. The play drew a penalty for targeting from the referees, but targeting was not confirmed on the official review. With no other penalty called on the play, Oregon retained possession of the football after the fumble.

The tackle involved drew criticism from the ABC broadcasting crew, as punter Luke Akers’ helmet was removed by the tackle. With the penalty flag thrown on the field, it appeared initially that the penalty would be for the tackle itself which took place before the fumble.

If the penalty had been called it would have remained UCLA’s ball with a 15 yard penalty. On the play itself, the referees called targeting to the surprise of everyone involved. After reviewing the call, the officials determined that there was no targeting on the play and that Oregon would retain possession of the football after the fumble.

The officials were not allowed to add a penalty to a play during a review, it would have to have been called on the play itself.