Reggie Bush defends officiating crew for non-targeting decision in Michigan vs TCU
There were a handful of controversial calls and TCU‘s Fiesta bowl victory over Michigan. But arguably, the biggest of the game came in the closing seconds. A tackle by a Horned Frogs defender prompted officials to head into the replay booth for a possible targeting. After a brief review, the referees returned and ruled that there was no targeting on the play, which enraged Wolverine fans and the stands. And while they don’t agree with the call, former USC Trojans star running back Reggie Bush doesn’t see any controversy at all and believes the referees got it right by not throwing in the flag.
Bush voiced his thoughts on his social media account with the image below. The former Super Bowl-winning running back with the New Orleans Saints took a previous post from his employer Fox College Football, which asked the question, ‘Should this have been called targeting?’ And Bush gave a clear definitive answer.
“No.”
The Controversial targeting decision by officials sealing TCU’s victory
When TCU stopped Michigan on 4th and 10, Horned Frogs’ defensive back Kee’yon Stewart helped make the drive-stalling tackle on Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland. However when Stewart when in to make the tackle, he drops his head and makes contact with Loveland’s head and neck area with his helmet. Still, the officials calling the game did not see it that way, and TCU gained possession of the ball via turnover on downs. That allowed TCU to put a bow in the instant classic Fiesta Bowl game matchup, earning a trip to Los Angeles to face off against the winner of Georgia and Ohio State.
While seeing a CFP semifinal game get extended by the referees is not what you want on the biggest stage, there is still differing opinion on if the right call was made or not.
Either way, TCU will be heading to SoFi Stadium to play for the national championship. They will be the first Big 12 school to do so since Texas did in 2009. It’s just Year One under head coach Sonny Dykes in Fort Worth, with a potential CFP trophy heading back to Cow Town.