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Xavier Lucas ejected on controversial targeting call vs. Ole Miss in 4th quarter of Fiesta Bowl

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax01/09/26BarkleyTruax

Miami defensive back Xavier Lucas was ejected following a controversial targeting call in the fourth quarter during the Fiesta Bowl vs. Ole Miss. Lucas left the game with 8:54 left in regulation.

Lucas laid a hit on Rebels WR Cayden Lee, and the flags soon followed. After review, it was confirmed.

“You do have a launch, and I’d still consider him a defenseless player, because he’s going to the ground and he hasn’t completed the process of the catch,” ESPN rules analyst Bill LeMonnier said. “… This is launching right into him.”

Ole Miss would go on to make a 21-yard field goal from kicker Lucas Carneiro to take a 19-17 lead with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. It was the first lead for the Rebels since taking a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter.

This was the second time targeting had been called on the field during the game. During the first quarter, Miami star WR Malachi Toney was forced to head into the medical tent after a huge hit from Ole Miss DB Nick Cull.

Toney hauled in a pass from Carson Beck with 4:01 to play in the first quarter when Cull laid on the huge hit. Both players immediately headed to their respective injury tents while the officials headed to the monitor to review for targeting. After review, the flag was picked up and the targeting penalty against Cull was reversed.

“Definitely a defenseless player,” LeMonnier said while viewing the replay at the time. “Strong hit to the head and neck area. This shouldn’t take long.”

After the reversal, LeMonnier said the officials ruled there wasn’t an “indicator” to warrant targeting. While Cull’s helmet hit Toney’s, it was not deemed enough for a penalty.

Miami would go on to defeat Ole Miss 31-27 following a late go-ahead touchdown run from QB Carson Beck in the final 30 seconds of regulation. This concluded a thrilling fourth quarter that saw four lead changes and a last-second heave to the end zone for Ole Miss.

Now, the Hurricanes will head back home to play the winner of the Peach Bowl between top-seeded and undefeated Indiana, and the Oregon Ducks in the national championship. Miami’s home stadium was set to host the championship game, so the Hurricanes could win a championship at home in front of their fans inside Hard Rock Stadium.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.