WATCH: Oregon forces controversial fumble, no penalty on play

On a third quarter punt by UCLA, the punter bobbled the snap and Oregon forced a fumble on a tackle where UCLA fans wanted 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.

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Oregon forces fumble on punt, no penalty

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.

UCLA’s fumble came at a crucial moment early in the second half as their halftime lead was beginning to slip away. Oregon scored a touchdown to open the half and had taken a 21-17 lead. With the great field position following the fumble, Oregon quickly scored another touchdown and missed the extra point to go up 27-17.

UCLA’s Cameron Johnson called for targeting

UCLA’s frustration with no penalty being called was exasperated after they received a targeting penalty in the third quarter against Oregon themselves. 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.

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.