Texas LB Ty'Anthony Smith ejected for targeting vs. Arkansas, to miss first half of Texas A&M game

Texas is attempting to hold on in the second half against Arkansas, currently up 18 points. Unfortunately, they will be down a key linebacker moving forward, Ty’Anthony Smith. He was called for targeting late in the third quarter, resulting in an ejection for Smith.

A suspension will be served next week against Texas A&M as well. Due to the NCAA rule, Smith does not get to play in the first half of next week’s game. No other way to describe it as a major blow for a Texas defense that will need a ton of help defending Marcel Reed‘s group.

Looking short-term, the flag was thrown on a third-down play where Texas initially thought they got off the field. Instead, an automatic first down got assessed to Arkansas. It did lead to points, knocking through a field goal, to make the score 38-23.

The Texas offense has been able to put together whatever it wants thus far. Another defensive stop or two might be enough to put Arkansas to bed. Doing so without Smith bumps the challenge up a little bit more.

More on Ty’Anthony Smith, upcoming suspension for Texas A&M game

Linebacker depth is now going to be a big question for Texas leading into the game. They walked into Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday without Anthony Hill suited up. His health is certainly something to watch moving forward. If he cannot play, two key linebackers will be out to start things.

On3 | Rivals’ Inside Texas provided a report on Hill and his status earlier in the week. You can check out the full thing here.

Smith is likely disappointed further than just getting called for the penalty and serving a first-half suspension. His recruitment involved Texas A&M, being a long-time commit. Texas was able to flip him closer to National Signing Day, being a head-to-head recruiting win for Steve Sarkisian. In these types of rivalry games, a little extra emotion comes for those players. Now, Smith will have to wait until coming out of the halftime locker room to put his stamp on the contest.

Kickoff on Black Friday is scheduled for around 6:30 p.m. CT. Texas A&M will enter with a perfect 11-0 record, looking to secure a spot in Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Texas can play spoiler to its in-state rival, while also possibly making a case to sneak into the College Football Playoff.