<a href="https://www.on3.com/college/texas-am-aggies/">Texas A&M</a> defensive back <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dalton-brooks-28274/">Dalton Brooks</a> was ejected from the Aggies game against <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-gators/">Florida</a> in the second half for targeting. Brooks will miss the first half of Texas A&M’s next contest, against <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/bowling-green-falcons/">Bowling Green</a>, because the penalty happened in the second half.



As Florida wideout <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tank-hawkins-152997/">Tank Hawkins</a> came upfield as a ball carrier, Brooks closed to make the tackle and lowered his head. He made what the referees determined was forcible contact with the crown of his helmet and confirmed the targeting on review, despite most of the contact being to Hawkins’ chest.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<a href="https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/ON3">CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!</a>
</blockquote>



The hit itself was eye-catching, too, as Hawkins was knocked off his feet by the blow from Brooks.



Texas A&M led Florida, 33-7, at that point in the game, but the Gators quickly finished a touchdown drive to make the score 33-14 late in the third quarter.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191261?irad=399332&irmp=5298464">Watch College Football Games Live -Try for Free Fubo! Click HERE NOW</a>



<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191261?irad=399332&irmp=5298464">Save $30 on your first month of Fubo by CLICKING HERE NOW!</a> For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $49.99. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-there-was-a-more-controversial-targeting-on-saturday-in-the-the-swamp">There was a more controversial targeting on Saturday in the The Swamp</h2>



Florida defensive back <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/trikweze-bridges-116355/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trikweze Bridges</a> was ejected for targeting late in the first half against Texas A&M. He went to make a tackle on Aggies receiver <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/noah-thomas-93778/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Noah Thomas</a> and, after review, the call stood.



Bridges appeared to be going to wrap up Thomas’ legs to make the tackle, but the officials ruled he led with the crown of the helmet – resulting in his ejection. ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin explained the reason for the call, noting the difficulty, but noting it was targeting by the letter of the law. However, Bridges was going to form a tackle, which made it tough to call.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This was called targeting. It's a rule I'll never understand. <a href="https://t.co/RTPqi4HncZ">pic.twitter.com/RTPqi4HncZ</a>— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) <a href="https://twitter.com/chris_hummer/status/1835075782978179460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The play occurred just before halftime, which means Bridges’ status won’t change for next week’s game against <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/mississippi-state-bulldogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mississippi State</a>. However, the call quickly came into question considering where he hit Thomas.



“This is extremely unfortunate for the Florida player, because when you look for an indicator, yes, lowering the head is an indicator,” Austin said on the ABC broadcast. “But you always look for a launch and an attack and an attempt to punish the defender. This player wrapped up the receiver.



“It looked like he was trying to make a form tackle. Yes, his head got a little low, he did hit with the crown. By the strictest definition, yes, this is targeting. But man, this is close to the line.”



At the time of his ejection, Trikweze Bridges had three total tackles for Florida. He’s in his first season with the Gators after transferring from <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/oregon-ducks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saturday-s-decision-was-the-2nd-targeting-of-the-year-on-brooks">Saturday’s decision was the 2nd targeting of the year on Brooks</h2>



Brooks was ejected on the first defensive drive of the game for the Aggies after he was called for targeting for <a href="https://x.com/NCAAFNation247/status/1830034806614192514">a late hit</a> on <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/">Notre Dame</a> quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/riley-leonard-100526/">Riley Leonard</a> in Week 1.



As Leonard gave himself up on a slide after scrambling for a 1st down, Brooks came in late, lowered his head, and hit Leonard’s head with the crown of his helmet. Even if Brooks avoided leading with the crown of his helmet, Leonard was deemed defenseless so forcible contact to the head and neck area would’ve still been targeting.



Because Brooks was ejected in the first half, he did not miss any time in Week 2.



Shortly after the ejection for targeting, Notre Dame tied the game at 3 a piece with a long field goal.

NCAA Football: Texas A&amp;M at Arkansas

On3 Football

Texas A&M DB Dalton Brooks ejected for targeting in 3rd quarter vs. Florida

team image

The Main Board

Football

Basketball

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Teams

Fan Sites

Forums

Shows

team-link

College Football News

College Football Player Rankings

College Football Rankings

College Football Playoff

College Basketball News

Women's Sports

College

NIL News

NIL Valuation

NIL Deals

NIL Deal Tracker

Sports Business

Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal

Transfer Portal Rankings

Transfer Portal Team Rankings

Transfer Portal

NCAA Transfer Portal Home

Football Recruiting

Basketball Recruiting

Database

Team Rankings

Player Rankings

Industry Comparison

Commitments

Recruiting Prediction Machine

Recruiting

High School News

Schools

High School Search

Rankings

High School Rankings

Scores

High School Scores

High School

NFL Draft

NFL Draft News

Draft By Stars

College Draft History

College Draft Totals

NBA Draft

NBA Draft News

Draft

NASCAR

Culture

Sports Betting

About

On3 App

Advertise

Press

Contact

Alabama

Arizona State

Arizona

Arkansas

Auburn

Baylor

Boston College

California

Removed

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

Missouri

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Ohio State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas

Texas Tech

UCLA

Utah

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

Inside Texas

IT Members Only

DawgsHQ

Dawg Walk

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

The Corner

WeAreSC

GarryP's Trojan Huddle

The Wolverine

The Fort

The Lions Den

The Wolfpacker

The Wolves’ Den

GatorsOnline

Swamp Talk

Alabama A&M

Alabama State

Albany

Alcorn State

Abilene Christian

Appalachian State

Akron

Army

Austin Peay

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Arkansas-Little Rock

Arkansas State

Air Force

Ball State

American

Wofford

Winthrop

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Wichita State

Western Carolina

Volleyball

Gymnastics

Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Women's Track

Men's Golf

Women's Golf

Men's Hockey

Women's Hockey

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Wrestling

Men's Tennis

Women's Tennis

Annual $1

Annual Premium

Annual $1 

Monthly

Annual

Unlimited Access to This and All Articles.

Article (On3 Plus Rivals)

Forum (On3 Plus Rivals)

Intro

Join

College scoop, experts, and community - all in one.

Texas A&M DB Dalton Brooks ejected for targeting in 3rd quarter vs. Florida

Darian Mensah

Jaden Rashada

Damon Wilson

Looking ahead

Transfer Portal Intel